FDA Reviewing Food Preservative BHA

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Tuesday that it is reviewing whether butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is safe when used in food and as a food contact substance.

The FDA called the review part of its “broader efforts to proactively review chemical additives in the food supply.” The administration identified BHA as a top priority for review after launching a strengthened program to assess chemicals in the food supply last May.

BHA is used as an antioxidant and preservative in food — including butter, lard, meats, cereals and baked goods — food packaging, animal feed, cosmetics, rubber and petroleum products, according to the National Toxicology Program (NTP). The NTP notes that the additive is “reasonably anticipated to be a human cardinogen” based on animal studies.