Natural Flavor With BHA

Natural flavor refers to substances extracted from natural sources like spices, fruits, vegetables, or animal products, used to give food a specific taste. BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) is a synthetic antioxidant. This ingredient combines a natural flavor blend with BHA, which acts as a preservative.

The natural flavor component is added to food products to provide or enhance specific tastes, such as lemon in frostings. BHA is included to prevent fats and oils in the food from spoiling or turning rancid, thereby extending the product's shelf life. It is often found in products containing fats, like baked goods and dessert toppings.

Natural flavors are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. BHA is permitted by the FDA as a direct food additive. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has evaluated BHA and set an acceptable daily intake, and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has also evaluated its safety. However, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies BHA as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), based on studies in animals.