BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Dimethylpolysiloxane — Which Is Worse?

FactorBHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)Dimethylpolysiloxane
E-NumberE321E900
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 permits dimethylpolysiloxane as a direct food additive (21 CFR 173.340) at levels not exceeding 10 ppm in cooking oi…
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 dimethylpolysiloxane (E 900) in 2020. Established an ADI of 0-1.5 mg/kg body weight/day. EFSA noted th…
Banned InJapan Romania Sweden Australia
Products Found50219

Key Differences

Health Concerns Comparison

BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

Dimethylpolysiloxane

📱 Want to check this yourself? Scan any product in seconds.

Get CheckIt AI Free → ★4.7 · 256+ reviews

Which Products Use Each?

502
products contain BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
19
products contain Dimethylpolysiloxane

⚖️ The Verdict

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

Stay Updated on Ingredient Safety

Get free weekly updates on banned ingredients, new research findings, and FDA actions — before they hit the news.

Trusted by 27,000+ app users. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

📬

Get Your Free Weekly Clean Food Report

Every Friday: the 5 worst products we found this week, FDA recall alerts, and the cleanest new finds at your grocery store.

Trusted by 27,000+ app users. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Scan Products for BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) or Dimethylpolysiloxane

Point your camera at any food label and instantly know if it contains either ingredient.

Download CheckIt AI — Scan Free →

⚕️ This comparison is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary guidance.

CheckIt AI
CheckIt AI
★★★★★ 4.7 · 256+ reviews

Stop guessing. Scan before you buy.

1,568 products scanned today · Point your camera at any label

Download Free →

Free forever · No credit card · Works on iPhone & Android

📋 Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Dimethylpolysiloxane — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht-vs-dimethylpolysiloxane
MLA"BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Dimethylpolysiloxane — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-04-17. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht-vs-dimethylpolysiloxane.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht-vs-dimethylpolysiloxane">BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Dimethylpolysiloxane — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientsbhtvsdimethylpolysiloxane, title = {BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Dimethylpolysiloxane — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht-vs-dimethylpolysiloxane}, note = {Retrieved 2026-04-17} }