FDA Status
GRAS
Preservative · CAS 25013-16-5 · EU E320
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
FDA status: GRAS. EU: Approved. No U.S. state has enacted a specific ban yet.
2.0 / 5
Composite safety Caution
Score 2 of 5
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole): 2/5 (Caution)
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) is classified GRAS by the FDA, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it independently of federal policy. Its composite safety score is 2 out of 5 (Caution), and the European Union separately classifies it as approved.
The verdict
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) is classified GRAS by the FDA, and no U.S. state has moved to restrict it.
- 2/5
- Caution
- GRAS
- FDA status
- Approved
- EU status
- 0
- state regulations
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) (E320), CAS 25013-16-5, is a preservative additive holding a composite safety score of 2 out of 5 (Caution). According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Substances Added to Food inventory, it is currently classified as GRAS, while the European Union lists it as Approved. It is most commonly used as Cereal, chips, chewing gum, butter, lard.
No U.S. state has enacted specific legislation targeting BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) to date, keeping federal FDA classification as the operative standard. State-level food safety legislation remains active nationally, and that picture may shift as new bills advance.
Peer-reviewed research has flagged 1 distinct area of health concern for BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole), which factors directly into the assigned safety score. The European Food Safety Authority has published an evaluation dated 2012-07-24. All figures above draw on FDA SAFFA inventory records, EU food additive regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, EFSA scientific opinions where published, and legislative records from individual U.S. states.
Regulatory Snapshot
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Status | GRAS | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Approved | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | E320 | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | 25013-16-5 | CAS Registry |
| Category | Preservative | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 2 / 5 (Caution) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 0 states | State legislative records |
| Tracked Products | Not yet tracked | Open Food Facts (US) |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
EU Status
Approved
E320
U.S. State Regulations
0 states
None enacted
Safety Assessment
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)'s 2/5 (Caution) score reflects where this specific ingredient lands on that scale. The FDA classifies BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) as "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS), meaning qualified experts consider it safe under intended conditions of use.
Research has identified 1 area of health concern associated with BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole). Consumers with specific health conditions should consult a healthcare provider before consuming products containing this ingredient.
How BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) compares
Where a safety score of 2/5 falls among all 4,509 scored ingredients tracked on PlainIngredients.
Ingredients by safety score (BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) highlighted)
43 of 4,509 scored ingredients (1%) share a safety score of 2/5.
What is BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)?
Synthetic antioxidant used to prevent fats from going rancid.
Health Concerns
- Classified as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen" by NTP.
Common Uses
Cereal, chips, chewing gum, butter, lard
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) safe to consume?
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) has a safety score of 2/5 (Caution). Scientific studies have raised health concerns. Check with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
What is BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) used for in food?
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) is commonly used as: Cereal, chips, chewing gum, butter, lard. It belongs to the Preservative category of food additives.
Is BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) banned in any US states?
Currently, no US states have enacted specific bans or regulations targeting BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole). However, state food safety legislation is evolving rapidly.
What is the difference between FDA and EU regulation of BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)?
The FDA classifies BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) as "GRAS", while the EU status is "Approved" (E320). The FDA and EU use separate evaluation frameworks, the EU often applies the precautionary principle, sometimes banning additives that remain approved in the US. Always check both jurisdictions when evaluating food additive safety.
What health concerns are associated with BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)?
Research has identified the following health concerns for BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole): Classified as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen" by NTP.. These findings inform its safety score of 2/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.
How is the safety score for BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) calculated?
The safety score of 2/5 for BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) is a composite assessment based on FDA regulatory status, EU approval status, published scientific research on health effects, and state-level legislative actions. A score of 1 means "Banned / Avoid" and 5 means "Generally Safe." The score is updated as new regulatory actions or scientific evidence emerge.
Data Sources
- FDA Substances Added to Food (SAFFA) Inventory
- EU Food Additive Regulations (EC) No 1333/2008
- State food safety legislation and bill records
Related Preservative Ingredients
What to do about BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
This additive is flagged, worth checking labels for.
- Check the FDA status (GRAS) and EU status (Approved) before assuming it is risk-free. How we score
- Compare it against the most-restricted additives in the U.S. supply. View rankings
- Scan a whole ingredient label at once to flag the concerning entries. Label checker
Safety scores summarise regulatory status and published concerns; they are not medical or dietary advice.
Every figure on PlainIngredients is rendered directly from FDA, EU, EFSA and U.S. state regulatory records, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.