BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Potassium Bromate — Which Is Worse?

FactorBHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)Potassium Bromate
E-NumberE321E924
CategoryPreservativeDough Conditioner
SeverityHigh Risk (8/10)High Risk (10/10)
FDA StatusFDA classifies BHT as GRAS at levels up to 0.02% of the fat content of food (21 CFR 182.3173).FDA has not banned potassium bromate but issued a guidance in 1991 urging bakers to voluntarily stop using it. It remain…
EFSA StatusEFSA set an ADI of 0.25 mg/kg body weight/day in 2012. Approved in the EU with restricted usage levels.Not approved in the EU. Banned as a food additive across the European Union.
Banned InJapan Romania Sweden AustraliaEU UK Canada Brazil China India Japan Australia
Products Found49715

Key Differences

Health Concerns Comparison

BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

Potassium Bromate

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Which Products Use Each?

497
products contain BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
15
products contain Potassium Bromate

⚖️ The Verdict

Based on severity scores, Potassium Bromate (10/10) poses a higher risk than BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) (8/10).

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 Potassium Bromate worse?
Potassium Bromate has a higher severity score (10/10) compared to BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) (8/10), making it the more concerning ingredient based on current regulatory and scientific data.
What is the difference between BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) and Potassium Bromate?
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) is a preservative, while Potassium Bromate is a dough conditioner. They serve different functions in food products.
Are BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) and Potassium Bromate banned?
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) is banned in Japan, Romania, Sweden, Australia. Potassium Bromate is banned in EU, UK, Canada, Brazil, China, India, Japan, Australia.
How can I avoid both BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) and Potassium Bromate?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag both BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) and Potassium Bromate and suggest safer alternatives.
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Related Pages

Related Comparisons

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BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) Deep Dive Potassium Bromate 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 Potassium Bromate — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht-vs-potassium-bromate
MLA"BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Potassium Bromate — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-04-11. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht-vs-potassium-bromate.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht-vs-potassium-bromate">BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Potassium Bromate — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientsbhtvspotassiumbromate, title = {BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Potassium Bromate — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht-vs-potassium-bromate}, note = {Retrieved 2026-04-11} }