Read the ingredients list of foods before chowing down on them. You don’t want to swallow too much Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT).
While BHT is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it’s best to limit or avoid your intake of this chemical [1]. After all, this preservative is one of the many chemicals under a “post-market assessment” by the FDA [2]. BHT in foods has become a growing concern due to its ability to disrupt hormones in animals. While the FDA makes its decisions, some states are taking matters into their own hands, with Louisiana limiting BHT in school lunches. Enjoy your next meal with peace of mind. Here’s the latest on the FDA’s BHT review and how you can avoid BHT foods.
Why Is BHT In Food?
BHT is a common preservative used in many perishable products, including cosmetics, personal care products, and foods. It's commonly used in foods because BHT is an antioxidant that prevents fats and oils from spoiling quickly. Therefore, you can commonly find BHT in packaged goods, especially desserts, potato chips, and boxed foods.
If you eat packaged foods many times throughout the day, you may be at a higher risk of consuming a lot of BHT. You may want to limit how much BHT you consume, as it has been linked to toxic effects on the liver, lungs, kidneys, blood system, and reproductive system in animal studies.
Why Is BHT Generally Recognized As Safe?
BHT has been allowed in foods for a long time, and the FDA lists it as “Generally Recognized As Safe” (GRAS). This means it was approved decades ago, in the 1950s, and is still used today to help keep foods from spoiling. The FDA considers it safe because it doesn’t cause sudden or severe effects at normal levels of use.
All ingredients can deteriorate with time, which can speed up the expiration process of foods. Therefore, many packaged foods are made with preservatives, with BHT being a common choice for cereals, chewing gum, deli meats, and more.
For most foods, BHT is allowed at levels up to 0.02% (200 parts per million, ppm) of the fat or oil content in the food [3]. However, there is growing concern that BHT can disrupt hormones and potentially increase the risk of certain health conditions.
Animal studies have shown mixed results, with some raising concerns about cancer risks and other possible health effects. Research on people is more limited, so the full picture isn’t completely clear.
If you eat a lot of packaged foods throughout the day, there is a risk of exceeding that safe threshold daily. Plus, chemicals can still impact our health, even in small amounts [4]. Set your body up for success by reading ingredients labels and limiting your BHT intake as much as possible.
FDA Post-market Assessment of BHT in the Food Supply
BHT was developed and patented in 1947 and was deemed GRAS for food in 1959. The last report on BHT from the National Toxicity Program was published in 1979 [1]!
There are no limitations on developing new chemical ingredients for products. The FDA doesn’t regulate a chemical strictly until it’s been shown to be a health hazard [5]. That’s why BHT is currently under review for potential new regulations.
Earlier this year, the FDA started reassessing common chemicals used in foods that millions of people eat daily.
Chemicals being reassessed by the FDA include:
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Azodicarbonamide (ADA)
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FD&C Blue No. 1
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FD&C Blue No. 2
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FD&C Green No. 3
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FD&C Red No. 40
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FD&C Yellow No. 5
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FD&C Yellow No. 6
In addition, the FDA is going to “expedite its review of” phthalates and propylparaben. This is excellent news, as these chemicals are known hormone disruptors to humans. You can test yourself for these chemicals with a Million Marker Test and get personalized recommendations for reducing your exposures.
Until the government makes stronger regulations on harmful chemicals like parabens and phthalates, testing is the best way to protect yourself. It gives you the information you need to take your preventative health into your own hands.
While the FDA continues to assess BHT health effects, many states are taking matters into their own hands.
BHT Bans In Schools
Since BHT has been shown to have negative reproductive and overall health impacts on animals, it could potentially have the same impacts on humans.
Children are especially vulnerable to chemicals. Their bodies are still developing. Many chemicals, like BHT, can confuse our bodies into thinking they’re hormones [6]. As a result, our bodies could produce too many or too few of other hormones. This can be very dangerous for young children, who are developing mentally, physically, and reproductively.
From cereals to fruit snacks to boxed foods, many children eat a variety of non-perishable foods throughout the day. Therefore, they are at greater risk of consuming high levels of BHT. As a result, some communities are petitioning for their schools to remove foods with BHT from cafeteria menus.
Louisiana was the first state to ban BHT in schools, as they enacted Senate Bill 14 this summer [7]. By the 2028-2029 school year, any school receiving state funds cannot serve BHT in meals. Texas also passed Senate Bill 314 recently. This ensures that all public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools cannot provide free or reduced-price lunches that contain BHT [8].
Other states are starting to join the anti-BHT movement. Indiana and Florida are expected to present similar bills that will remove BHT from school lunches.
Current States Reassessing BHT In Foods
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Arizona
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California
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Colorado
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Connecticut
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Florida
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Illinois
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Indiana
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Louisiana
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Maryland
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Massachusetts
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Michigan
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Minnesota
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New Jersey
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New York
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Oregon
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Pennsylvania
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Texas
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Utah
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Vermont
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Washington
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West Virginia
What to Do About BHT In Foods
Until there are more aggressive regulations on chemicals, we must be our own advocates. While being mindful of your BHT consumption can be overwhelming at first, please realize that this is a process. Making changes happen with time. Here are some tips for reducing BHT intake in your family.
Read Ingredient Labels
Always check packaged food labels for the presence of BHT, which is often listed as “butylated hydroxytoluene” or under its acronym. Butylated hydroxytoluene or BHT is often listed on products that need preservatives, such as cereals, snack foods, chips, and baked goods.
Choose Whole or Fresh Foods
Encourage children to eat lunches made from whole or minimally processed foods, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, homemade sandwiches, and plain dairy products. These items are rarely treated with synthetic preservatives like BHT.
Prepare Lunches at Home
Packing a homemade lunch gives parents full control over the ingredients. Choose simple recipes and snacks made from fresh, unpackaged ingredients, avoiding anything with generic “preservatives” unless the label confirms no BHT.
Work with Your School
Contact the school lunch staff or administrators and request ingredient lists for provided lunches. Many schools can share product sourcing details, allow opt-outs, or offer allergen and additive-free menu options.
Advocate for Additive-Free Menus
Join school wellness committees or parent groups to advocate for additive-free and preservative-free lunch programs. Share information about the health concerns associated with BHT and encourage district-wide transparency and change.
Resources
[1] https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/publications/reports/tr/tr150
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK590883/
[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24388189/
[5] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5737876/
[6] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030438942501204X