Ingredient · E320, E321

BHA & BHT Added To Protect Flavor

Source
Not animal-derived
Allergen
No
Role in food
Manufacturers add BHA and BHT to foods to prevent fats and oils from spoiling, …

What is BHA & BHT Added To Protect Flavor?

BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) are man-made chemical compounds. They are commonly used together as antioxidants.

Is BHA & BHT Added To Protect Flavor vegan?

BHA & BHT Added To Protect Flavor is not animal-derived. Products that contain it can still include other animal-derived ingredients, so check the full ingredient list.

Is BHA & BHT Added To Protect Flavor a major allergen?

Not a major allergen.

What is BHA & BHT Added To Protect Flavor used for?

Manufacturers add BHA and BHT to foods to prevent fats and oils from spoiling, a process called rancidity, which can change the food's flavor and smell.

Is BHA & BHT Added To Protect Flavor safe?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits the use of BHA and BHT as food additives.

Why it's used

Manufacturers add BHA and BHT to foods to prevent fats and oils from spoiling, a process called rancidity, which can change the food's flavor and smell. They are often found in products like frozen dinners, cookies, and biscuits to help them stay fresh longer.

Health notes

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits the use of BHA and BHT as food additives. JECFA (the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) has evaluated both BHA and BHT and set acceptable daily intakes. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies BHA as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). However, the FDA maintains that BHA is safe at current levels of use, and BHT is generally considered safe at typical intake levels.

Allergen info

Not a major allergen.

Foods that contain BHA & BHT Added To Protect Flavor

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Fettuccine Alfredo With Chicken & Broccoli Pasta In A Creamy Sauce With White Chicken & Broccoli, Fettuccine Alfredo With Chicken & Broccoli Bellisio Foods Inc Fettuccine Alfredo With Chicken & Broccoli Pasta In A Creamy Sauce With White Chicken & Broccoli, Fettuccine Alfredo With Chicken & Broccoli Frozen Dinners & Entrees High in sodium — 28% DV per serving 101kcal 4.4Protein 3.5Fat 13.7Carbs Philly Cheese Steak With Seasoned Rice & Vegetables Tender, Sliced Beef Steak Stacked On Seasoned Rice With Onions & Bell Peppers Topped With A Creamy Provolone Cheese Sauce Bowl, Philly Cheese Steak With Seasoned Rice & Vegetables Overhill Farms, Inc. Philly Cheese Steak With Seasoned Rice & Vegetables Tender, Sliced Beef Steak Stacked On Seasoned Rice With Onions & Bell Peppers Topped With A Creamy Provolone Cheese Sauce Bowl, Philly Cheese Steak With Seasoned Rice & Vegetables Frozen Dinners & Entrees High in sodium — 40% DV per serving High in saturated fat — 30% DV per serving 135kcal 5.9Protein 5.9Fat 14.6Carbs Jambalaya With Sausage Rice With Sausage, Onion, Bell Peppers And Spices, Jambalaya With Sausage Zatarain's Inc. Jambalaya With Sausage Rice With Sausage, Onion, Bell Peppers And Spices, Jambalaya With Sausage Frozen Dinners & Entrees High in sodium — 38% DV per serving High in saturated fat — 20% DV per serving 150kcal 4.1Protein 3.8Fat 24.7Carbs Lasagna Alfredo With Broccoli & Mozzarella, Lasagna Alfredo Bellisio Foods Inc Lasagna Alfredo With Broccoli & Mozzarella, Lasagna Alfredo Frozen Dinners & Entrees High in sodium — 29% DV per serving High in saturated fat — 20% DV per serving 104kcal 3.3Protein 3.7Fat 14.5Carbs Shrimp With Pasta & Vegetables In A Creamy Alfredo Sauce, Shrimp Bellisio Foods Inc Shrimp With Pasta & Vegetables In A Creamy Alfredo Sauce, Shrimp Frozen Dinners & Entrees High in sodium — 22% DV per serving 106kcal 4.4Protein 2.6Fat 16.7Carbs Cheeseburger Mac Macaroni & Cheese With Hamburger, Cheeseburger Mac Bellisio Foods Inc Cheeseburger Mac Macaroni & Cheese With Hamburger, Cheeseburger Mac Frozen Dinners & Entrees High in sodium — 41% DV per serving High in saturated fat — 25% DV per serving 123kcal 4.4Protein 6.6Fat 12.3Carbs Blackened Chicken Seasoned Grilled White Meat Chicken & Penne Pasta In A Zesty, Creamy Cheese Sauce Alfredo, Blackened Chicken Zatarain's Inc. Blackened Chicken Seasoned Grilled White Meat Chicken & Penne Pasta In A Zesty, Creamy Cheese Sauce Alfredo, Blackened Chicken Frozen Dinners & Entrees High in sodium — 35% DV per serving High in saturated fat — 25% DV per serving 151kcal 7.6Protein 6.2Fat 16.9Carbs Spicy Chicken Alfredo Pasta With A Spicy Alfredo Sauce & White Chicken, Spicy Chicken Alfredo Bellisio Foods Inc Spicy Chicken Alfredo Pasta With A Spicy Alfredo Sauce & White Chicken, Spicy Chicken Alfredo Frozen Dinners & Entrees High in sodium — 35% DV per serving High in saturated fat — 25% DV per serving 123kcal 5.7Protein 4.8Fat 14.5Carbs Creamy Rigatoni With Broccoli & Chicken Creamy Sauce & Pasta With Broccoli & White Chicken, Creamy Rigatoni With Broccoli & Chicken Bellisio Foods Inc Creamy Rigatoni With Broccoli & Chicken Creamy Sauce & Pasta With Broccoli & White Chicken, Creamy Rigatoni With Broccoli & Chicken Frozen Dinners & Entrees High in sodium — 27% DV per serving High in saturated fat — 20% DV per serving 123kcal 5.3Protein 4.4Fat 15.9Carbs Fettuccine Alfredo Bellisio Foods Inc Fettuccine Alfredo Frozen Dinners & Entrees High in sodium — 26% DV per serving 103kcal 3.3Protein 3.3Fat 15.0Carbs Fettuccine Alfredo With Chicken & Broccoli Pasta In A Creamy Sauce With White Chicken & Broccoli, Fettuccine Alfredo With Chicken & Broccoli Bellisio Foods Inc Fettuccine Alfredo With Chicken & Broccoli Pasta In A Creamy Sauce With White Chicken & Broccoli, Fettuccine Alfredo With Chicken & Broccoli Frozen Dinners & Entrees High in sodium — 33% DV per serving High in saturated fat — 25% DV per serving 110kcal 5.3Protein 4.8Fat 11.9Carbs Penne With White Chicken In A Creamy Sauce, White Chicken In A Creamy Sauce Bellisio Foods Inc Penne With White Chicken In A Creamy Sauce, White Chicken In A Creamy Sauce Frozen Dinners & Entrees High in sodium — 20% DV per serving 125kcal 4.9Protein 3.8Fat 18.5Carbs
Preservative (28015 products) Potassium Sorbate (21407 products) Sodium Benzoate (13792 products) Sodium Nitrite (13550 products) Sodium Erythorbate (9349 products) Calcium Propionate (8459 products) Preservatives (8104 products) Sorbic Acid (7394 products)

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Last updated: September 28, 2026

Note: This site presents label data from USDA FoodData Central for general information. It is not medical advice. Check the package label; formulations change.