BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Propylene Glycol — Which Is Worse?

FactorBHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)Propylene Glycol
E-NumberE320E1520
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 classifies propylene glycol as GRAS (21 CFR 184.1666) for direct addition to food at levels not to exceed 5% of tota…
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 established a group ADI of 25 mg/kg body weight/day for propylene glycol (E 1520) in 2018. EFSA noted that dietary …
Banned InJapan EU (limited use)—
Products Found212198

Key Differences

Health Concerns Comparison

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)

Propylene Glycol

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Which Products Use Each?

212
products contain BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
198
products contain Propylene Glycol

⚖️ The Verdict

Based on severity scores, BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) (9/10) poses a higher risk than Propylene Glycol (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 Propylene Glycol worse?
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) has a higher severity score (9/10) compared to Propylene Glycol (6/10), making it the more concerning ingredient based on current regulatory and scientific data.
What is the difference between BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and Propylene Glycol?
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) is a preservative, while Propylene Glycol is a additive. They serve different functions in food products.
Are BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and Propylene Glycol banned?
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) is banned in Japan, EU (limited use). Propylene Glycol is not currently banned in any major market.
How can I avoid both BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and Propylene Glycol?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag both BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and Propylene Glycol 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 Propylene Glycol 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 Propylene Glycol — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bha-vs-propylene-glycol
MLA"BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Propylene Glycol — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-04-17. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bha-vs-propylene-glycol.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bha-vs-propylene-glycol">BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Propylene Glycol — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientsbhavspropyleneglycol, title = {BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Propylene Glycol — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bha-vs-propylene-glycol}, note = {Retrieved 2026-04-17} }