BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) — Which Is Worse?

FactorBHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)
E-NumberE321E133
CategoryPreservativeArtificial Color
SeverityHigh Risk (8/10)Moderate Risk (6/10)
FDA StatusFDA classifies BHT as GRAS at levels up to 0.02% of the fat content of food (21 CFR 182.3173).FDA-approved since 1969 (21 CFR 74.101). Listed as a certified color additive. Subject to batch certification by the FDA…
EFSA StatusEFSA set an ADI of 0.25 mg/kg body weight/day in 2012. Approved in the EU with restricted usage levels.EFSA re-evaluated in 2010 and established an ADI of 6 mg/kg body weight/day. EU requires warning labels on products cont…
Banned InJapan Romania Sweden Australia—
Products Found502740

Key Differences

Health Concerns Comparison

BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)

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Which Products Use Each?

502
products contain BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
740
products contain Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)

⚖️ The Verdict

Based on severity scores, BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) (8/10) poses a higher risk than Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) (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 BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) or Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) worse?
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) has a higher severity score (8/10) compared to Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) (6/10), making it the more concerning ingredient based on current regulatory and scientific data.
What is the difference between BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) and Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)?
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) is a preservative, while Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) is a artificial color. They serve different functions in food products.
Are BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) and Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) banned?
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) is banned in Japan, Romania, Sweden, Australia. Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) is not currently banned in any major market.
How can I avoid both BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) and Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF)?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag both BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) and Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) and suggest safer alternatives.
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Related Pages

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BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) Deep Dive Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) 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). "BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht-vs-blue-1
MLA"BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-04-14. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht-vs-blue-1.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht-vs-blue-1">BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientsbhtvsblue1, title = {BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht-vs-blue-1}, note = {Retrieved 2026-04-14} }