BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) — Which Is Worse?

FactorBHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine)
E-NumberE321E132
CategoryPreservativeAdditive
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 permanently listed FD&C Blue No. 2 in 1983 (21 CFR 74.102). Approved for food, drugs, and cosmetics. The FDA reviewe…
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 indigo carmine (E 132) in 2014. Established an ADI of 5 mg/kg body weight/day. EFSA noted that dietary…
Banned InJapan Romania Sweden Australia—
Products Found502154

Key Differences

Health Concerns Comparison

BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine)

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Which Products Use Each?

502
products contain BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
154
products contain Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine)

⚖️ The Verdict

Based on severity scores, BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) (8/10) poses a higher risk than Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) (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 2 (Indigo Carmine) worse?
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) has a higher severity score (8/10) compared to Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) (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 2 (Indigo Carmine)?
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) is a preservative, while Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) is a additive. They serve different functions in food products.
Are BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) and Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) banned?
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) is banned in Japan, Romania, Sweden, Australia. Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) is not currently banned in any major market.
How can I avoid both BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) and Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine)?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag both BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) and Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) and suggest safer alternatives.
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Related Pages

Related Comparisons

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Sodium NitriteBHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Sodium BenzoateBHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone)BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Calcium PropionateBHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Propyl GallateBHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Citric AcidBHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Sodium Aluminum Phosphate (SALP)
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) Deep Dive Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) 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 2 (Indigo Carmine) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht-vs-blue-2
MLA"BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-04-17. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht-vs-blue-2.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht-vs-blue-2">BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientsbhtvsblue2, title = {BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht-vs-blue-2}, note = {Retrieved 2026-04-17} }