BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) Side Effects

BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) is a preservative / antioxidant with 1 high-severity side effects. Found in 13 products in our database. FDA GRAS.

5
Known Side Effects
13
Products Contain It
1
High Severity
4
Safer Alternatives

What Is BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)?

BHT is a synthetic antioxidant closely related to BHA, used to preserve fats and oils in processed foods. It has been linked to liver enlargement, thyroid effects, and behavioral issues in children.

Also known as:
Butylated HydroxytolueneE321

Known Side Effects

High Risk Liver enlargement
Moderate Thyroid and liver effects
Moderate Behavioral issues in children
Moderate Potential carcinogenicity
Moderate Endocrine disruption

Regulatory Status

🇺🇸 FDA Status

FDA GRAS. Widely used in cereal, snack foods, and food packaging.

🇪🇺 EU Status

Restricted. Banned or limited in Japan, Romania, Sweden, Australia.

Scientific References

  1. NTP studies on BHT effects on liver
  2. Studies linking BHT to thyroid disruption
  3. EFSA restricted ADI assessment

Products Containing BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) (13 found)

These products were found to contain bht (butylated hydroxytoluene) or its variants in our database of 26,000+ grocery products.

#ProductBrandScore
1ULTIMATE MEAT MILD ITALIAN SAUSAGE, PREMIUM SLICED PEPPERONI, SEASONED BEEF CRUMBLES, SLICED BEEF STEAK, AND SMOKY BACON TRADITIONAL CRUST MEDIUM PIZZA, ULTIMATE MEATWal-Mart Stores, Inc.2/100
2equate body washUnknown8/100
3SWEETENED CHOCOLATE FLAVORED RICE CEREAL, SWEETENED CHOCOLATEPost Consumer Brands, LLC23/100
4PEPPERONI FRENCH BREAD TOPPED WITH PIZZA SAUCE, MOZZARELLA CHEESE FRENCH BREAD SINGLES PIZZAS, PEPPERONIThe Schwan Food Company24/100
5Banquet Salisbury Steak with Creamy Mashed Potatoes & Cinnamon Apple Dessert, Frozen Meal, 11.88 oz.Conagra Brands, Inc24/100
6Equate Complete MultivitaminEquate24/100
7Prenatal VitaminsCVS Health45/100
8MARSHMALLOW FLAVORED CEREAL WITH MARSHMALLOWS, MARSHMALLOWThe Kellogg Company 56/100
9GREAT VALUE, CRUNCHY HONEY OATS WITH ALMONDS CEREALWal-Mart Stores, Inc.68/100
10GREAT VALUE, CRISP RICE CEREALWal-Mart Stores, Inc.68/100
11TARGET STORE SUGAR COOKIE KIT, TARGET STORETarget Stores68/100
12SAM'S CHOICE, PERSONAL DOUBLE PEPPERONI PIZZAWal-Mart Stores, Inc.68/100
13MARKETSIDE, MEDIUM PEPPERONI PIZZAWal-Mart Stores, Inc.68/100

Safer Alternatives to BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)

Rosemary extractMixed tocopherolsAscorbyl palmitateCitric acid
📬

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the side effects of BHT?
BHT has been linked to liver enlargement, thyroid effects, behavioral issues in children, potential carcinogenicity, and endocrine disruption.

⚕️ Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Side effect data is compiled from published scientific studies and regulatory assessments. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance. Last updated: 2026-03-05.

Other Ingredient Side Effects

Red 40 (Allura Red AC) Yellow 5 (Tartrazine) Yellow 6 (Sunset Yellow FCF) Red 3 (Erythrosine) Blue 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF) Blue 2 (Indigo Carmine) Aspartame Sucralose Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K) MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) All Ingredient Side Effects Banned in Europe Ingredient Encyclopedia
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📋 Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) Side Effects — Health Risks, FDA Status & Products | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/side-effects/bht
MLA"BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) Side Effects — Health Risks, FDA Status & Products | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/side-effects/bht.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/side-effects/bht">BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) Side Effects — Health Risks, FDA Status & Products | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026sideeffectsbht, title = {BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) Side Effects — Health Risks, FDA Status & Products | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/side-effects/bht}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }