| E-Number | E321 |
| FDA Status | FDA classifies BHT as GRAS at levels up to 0.02% of the fat content of food (21 CFR 182.3173). |
| EFSA Status | EFSA set an ADI of 0.25 mg/kg body weight/day in 2012. Approved in the EU with restricted usage levels. |
| ADI | 0.25 mg/kg body weight/day (EFSA, 2012) |
| Severity | High Risk (8/10) |
| Category | Preservative |
A synthetic antioxidant structurally related to BHA, used to prevent oxidation of fats and oils in food, cosmetics, and petroleum products.
Acts as a free radical scavenger by donating hydrogen atoms to peroxyl radicals. Metabolized by the liver through oxidation and conjugation. Animal studies show mixed results — some suggest tumor promotion, others show tumor inhibition depending on the model system.
FDA classifies BHT as GRAS at levels up to 0.02% of the fat content of food (21 CFR 182.3173).
EFSA set an ADI of 0.25 mg/kg body weight/day in 2012. Approved in the EU with restricted usage levels.
Banned in: Japan Romania Sweden Australia
Restricted in: EU (restricted) UK
⚠️ Legal in the United States
| # | Product | Brand | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MEAT TRIO PIZZA ITALIAN SAUSAGE, BEEF PATTY CRUMBLE & PREMIUM DELI STYLE PEPPERONI, MEDIUM | Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | 0/100 |
| 2 | FRUITY PEBBLES SWEETENED RICE CEREAL, FRUITY PEBBLES | Post Consumer Brands, LLC | 0/100 |
| 3 | King Soopers, City Market, Give Thanks Seasonal Chocolate Cake | The Kroger Co. | 0/100 |
| 4 | Bugles Nacho Cheese Crispy Corn Snacks | GENERAL MILLS SALES INC. | 0/100 |
| 5 | Bugles Nacho Cheese Crispy Corn Snacks | GENERAL MILLS SALES INC. | 0/100 |
| 6 | Bugles Nacho Cheese Crispy Corn Snacks | GENERAL MILLS SALES INC. | 0/100 |
| 7 | Bugles Nacho Cheese Crispy Corn Snacks | GENERAL MILLS SALES INC. | 0/100 |
| 8 | Bugles Nacho Cheese Crispy Corn Snacks Value Size | GENERAL MILLS SALES INC. | 0/100 |
| 9 | Fruit spins sweetened multigrain cereal with | Great Value | 0/100 |
| 10 | GLUTEN FREE CEREAL | Post Consumer Brands, LLC | 0/100 |
Showing top 10 of 473 products. Download CheckIt AI to scan any product.
Average safety score for products containing BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene): 49/100
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CheckIt AI. (2026). "What Is BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht"What Is BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-08. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht.<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht">What Is BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>@misc{checkit2026ingredientsbht,
title = {What Is BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI},
author = {CheckIt AI},
year = {2026},
publisher = {Climaverse PBC},
url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht},
note = {Retrieved 2026-03-08}
}