BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Potassium Bromate — Which Is Worse?

FactorBHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)Potassium Bromate
E-NumberE320E924
CategoryPreservativeDough Conditioner
SeverityHigh Risk (9/10)High Risk (10/10)
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 has not banned potassium bromate but issued a guidance in 1991 urging bakers to voluntarily stop using it. It remain…
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…Not approved in the EU. Banned as a food additive across the European Union.
Banned InJapan EU (limited use)EU UK Canada Brazil China India Japan Australia
Products Found21215

Key Differences

Health Concerns Comparison

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)

Potassium Bromate

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Which Products Use Each?

212
products contain BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
15
products contain Potassium Bromate

⚖️ The Verdict

Based on severity scores, Potassium Bromate (10/10) poses a higher risk than BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) (9/10).

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 Potassium Bromate worse?
Potassium Bromate has a higher severity score (10/10) compared to BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) (9/10), making it the more concerning ingredient based on current regulatory and scientific data.
What is the difference between BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and Potassium Bromate?
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) is a preservative, while Potassium Bromate is a dough conditioner. They serve different functions in food products.
Are BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and Potassium Bromate banned?
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) is banned in Japan, EU (limited use). Potassium Bromate is banned in EU, UK, Canada, Brazil, China, India, Japan, Australia.
How can I avoid both BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and Potassium Bromate?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag both BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and Potassium Bromate and suggest safer alternatives.
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Scan Products for BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) or Potassium Bromate

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⚕️ 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 Potassium Bromate — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bha-vs-potassium-bromate
MLA"BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Potassium Bromate — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-04-05. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bha-vs-potassium-bromate.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bha-vs-potassium-bromate">BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Potassium Bromate — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientsbhavspotassiumbromate, title = {BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Potassium Bromate — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bha-vs-potassium-bromate}, note = {Retrieved 2026-04-05} }