Ingredient · Preservative
BHA
A synthetic antioxidant added to fats and oils to delay rancidity, found in cereals, snack foods, chewing gum, and some packaging. It is effective in very small quantities and extends shelf life considerably.
also known as Butylated hydroxyanisole, E320
BHA is listed by the US National Toxicology Program as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen, on the basis of animal studies. It nonetheless remains permitted at limited levels in the US, and the European Food Safety Authority has assessed it as acceptable within its established intake limit.
It is often used alongside BHT, which does a similar job. The reason it is flagged here is that its function — protecting added fats from going rancid — is usually a signal about the rest of the formulation.
Why it’s classified this way
Classified High risk on the US National Toxicology Program listing as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.
References
- NTP Report on Carcinogens, 15th edition
- EFSA re-evaluation of BHA (E320)