What Is BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives

⚡ Quick Facts

E-NumberE321
FDA StatusFDA classifies BHT as GRAS at levels up to 0.02% of the fat content of food (21 CFR 182.3173).
EFSA StatusEFSA set an ADI of 0.25 mg/kg body weight/day in 2012. Approved in the EU with restricted usage levels.
ADI0.25 mg/kg body weight/day (EFSA, 2012)
SeverityHigh Risk (8/10)
CategoryPreservative

What Is BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)?

A synthetic antioxidant structurally related to BHA, used to prevent oxidation of fats and oils in food, cosmetics, and petroleum products.

Mechanism of Action

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.

Why People Avoid BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

Regulatory Status

🇺🇸 FDA

FDA classifies BHT as GRAS at levels up to 0.02% of the fat content of food (21 CFR 182.3173).

🇪🇺 EFSA

EFSA set an ADI of 0.25 mg/kg body weight/day in 2012. Approved in the EU with restricted usage levels.

Regulatory Timeline

1954 First used as a food additive in the US
1958 FDA grants GRAS status
2012 EFSA sets ADI of 0.25 mg/kg/day
• Banned or restricted in some countries (Japan, Romania, Sweden, Australia — in certain applications)

Banned/Restricted In

Banned in: Japan Romania Sweden Australia

Restricted in: EU (restricted) UK

⚠️ Legal in the United States

📊 Top Categories Containing BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

Cereal 60Pizza 49Savoury Bakery Products 48Snacks 44Chewing Gum & Mints 38Processed Cereal Products 30

Products Containing BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) (473 found in our database)

#ProductBrandScore
1MEAT TRIO PIZZA ITALIAN SAUSAGE, BEEF PATTY CRUMBLE & PREMIUM DELI STYLE PEPPERONI, MEDIUMWal-Mart Stores, Inc.0/100
2FRUITY PEBBLES SWEETENED RICE CEREAL, FRUITY PEBBLESPost Consumer Brands, LLC0/100
3King Soopers, City Market, Give Thanks Seasonal Chocolate CakeThe Kroger Co.0/100
4Bugles Nacho Cheese Crispy Corn SnacksGENERAL MILLS SALES INC.0/100
5Bugles Nacho Cheese Crispy Corn SnacksGENERAL MILLS SALES INC.0/100
6Bugles Nacho Cheese Crispy Corn SnacksGENERAL MILLS SALES INC.0/100
7Bugles Nacho Cheese Crispy Corn SnacksGENERAL MILLS SALES INC.0/100
8Bugles Nacho Cheese Crispy Corn Snacks Value SizeGENERAL MILLS SALES INC.0/100
9Fruit spins sweetened multigrain cereal withGreat Value0/100
10GLUTEN FREE CEREALPost Consumer Brands, LLC0/100

Showing top 10 of 473 products. Download CheckIt AI to scan any product.

Average safety score for products containing BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene): 49/100

Safer Alternatives


Vitamin E (tocopherols)

Rosemary extract

Ascorbyl palmitate

Scientific Sources

  1. EFSA (2012). Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of butylated hydroxytoluene (E 321)
  2. Williams et al. (1999). The mechanisms of action of BHT as an anticarcinogen. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 37(2-3), 173-178

Frequently Asked Questions

What is BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)?
A synthetic antioxidant structurally related to BHA, used to prevent oxidation of fats and oils in food, cosmetics, and petroleum products.
Is BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) safe?
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) is 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 leve.
Where is BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) banned?
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) is banned or restricted in: Japan, Romania, Sweden, Australia.
What are alternatives to BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)?
Safer alternatives to BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) include: Vitamin E (tocopherols), Rosemary extract, Ascorbyl palmitate.
How can I avoid BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) and suggest safer alternatives.
What foods contain BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)?
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) is commonly found in: Cereal, Chewing gum, Potato flakes, Enriched rice, Shortening, Candy. Our database has flagged it in 473 products.
What are the side effects of BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)?
Concerns about BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) include: Mixed results in animal carcinogenicity studies; Low ADI compared to actual exposure levels; Restricted in several countries.
Is BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) natural or artificial?
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene): Acts as a free radical scavenger by donating hydrogen atoms to peroxyl radicals. Metabolized by the liver through oxidation and conjugation. Animal st.
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⚕️ This page provides ingredient information 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). "What Is BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht
MLA"What Is BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-08. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht">What Is BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)? Safety, Risks & Alternatives | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@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} }
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