BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) — Which Is Worse?

FactorBHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine)
E-NumberE320E132
CategoryPreservativeAdditive
SeverityHigh Risk (9/10)Moderate Risk (6/10)
FDA StatusFDA classifies BHA as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) at levels up to 0.02% of the fat or oil content of food (21 CF…FDA permanently listed FD&C Blue No. 2 in 1983 (21 CFR 74.102). Approved for food, drugs, and cosmetics. The FDA reviewe…
EFSA StatusEFSA set a group ADI of 1.0 mg/kg body weight/day for BHA in 2011. It is approved in the EU but usage is restricted to s…EFSA re-evaluated indigo carmine (E 132) in 2014. Established an ADI of 5 mg/kg body weight/day. EFSA noted that dietary…
Banned InJapan EU (limited use)—
Products Found212154

Key Differences

Health Concerns Comparison

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)

Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine)

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Which Products Use Each?

212
products contain BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
154
products contain Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine)

⚖️ The Verdict

Based on severity scores, BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) (9/10) poses a higher risk than Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) (6/10).

Both ingredients should be consumed mindfully. Use CheckIt AI to scan products and avoid whichever ones concern you most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) or Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) worse?
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) has a higher severity score (9/10) compared to Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) (6/10), making it the more concerning ingredient based on current regulatory and scientific data.
What is the difference between BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine)?
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) is a preservative, while Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) is a additive. They serve different functions in food products.
Are BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) banned?
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) is banned in Japan, EU (limited use). Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) is not currently banned in any major market.
How can I avoid both BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine)?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag both BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) and suggest safer alternatives.
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Related Pages

Related Comparisons

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Sodium NitriteBHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Sodium BenzoateBHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone)BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Calcium PropionateBHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Propyl GallateBHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Citric AcidBHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Sodium Aluminum Phosphate (SALP)
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) Deep Dive Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) Deep Dive All 180 Comparisons All Ingredients Ingredients Banned in Europe Scoring Methodology

⚕️ This comparison is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary guidance.

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📋 Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bha-vs-blue-2
MLA"BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-04-17. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bha-vs-blue-2.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bha-vs-blue-2">BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientsbhavsblue2, title = {BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bha-vs-blue-2}, note = {Retrieved 2026-04-17} }