BHT And BHA

Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) and Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) are man-made chemicals. They are produced in factories and do not come from natural sources.

BHT and BHA are used as preservatives, specifically as antioxidants. They help prevent fats and oils in foods from spoiling or going bad (a process called rancidity). You can find them in many processed foods like cereals, snack foods, baked goods, and sometimes in food packaging.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits both BHT and BHA as food additives, and they are also considered Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for certain uses. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have both evaluated BHT and BHA and have set acceptable daily intakes. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies BHA as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2B). This classification is based on studies in animals, and major food safety authorities, including the FDA and EFSA, continue to consider BHA safe at current intake levels. While some studies have raised questions about potential effects, regulatory bodies generally consider BHT and BHA safe when consumed within established limits.