BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) — Which Is Worse?

FactorBHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)
E-NumberE321E102
CategoryPreservativeArtificial Color
SeverityModerate Risk (6/10)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 1979, FDA requires Yellow 5 to be specifically listed on food labels (21 CFR 74.705) due to potentia…
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 2009, maintaining an ADI of 7.5 mg/kg body weight/day. EU requires the same warning label as Red 40…
Banned In——
Products Found1226

Key Differences

Health Concerns Comparison

BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)

Which Products Use Each?

12
products contain BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
26
products contain Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)

⚖️ The Verdict

Both BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) and Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) have the same severity score (6/10). Neither is clearly worse than the other based on current data.

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 Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) worse?
Both BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) and Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) have the same severity score (6/10). Neither is clearly worse based on available data.
What is the difference between BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) and Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)?
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) is a preservative, while Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) is a artificial color. They serve different functions in food products.
Are BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) and Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) banned?
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) is not currently banned in any major market. Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) is not currently banned in any major market.
How can I avoid both BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) and Yellow 5 (Tartrazine)?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag both BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) and Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) and suggest safer alternatives.
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Related Pages

Related Comparisons

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BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) Deep Dive Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) 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 Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht-vs-yellow-5
MLA"BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht-vs-yellow-5.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht-vs-yellow-5">BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientsbhtvsyellow5, title = {BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bht-vs-yellow-5}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }