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Answer: BHA is restricted (not fully banned) in European Union. The FDA still allows it in US food. Risk level: high. Commonly found in: chips, cereal, preserved meats.
TL;DR: BHA is restricted in the EU but allowed in the US (processing aids).
Reviewed for clarity & usefulness by the BannedPantry Parent Panel
CAS 25013-16-5.
Other names: butylated hydroxyanisole, E320
| EU status | Restricted |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | high |
| Where it shows up | chips, cereal, preserved meats, gum |
| CAS number | 25013-16-5 |
BHA is a synthetic antioxidant preservative for fats and oils.
It is used to bleach, preserve, color or process food more cheaply at industrial scale.
Reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen (US NTP); restricted in the EU and banned in some countries.
For educational use only. This page summarizes the regulatory status of BHAwith citations to the primary sources below. It is not medical advice. Regulatory status is not the same as a proven health effect — read the cited sources for their exact wording, and consult a doctor for decisions about your or your family's health.
Choose minimally processed and EU-imported foods, read labels for these additives, and scan barcodes with BannedPantry to flag them.
Yes — BHA is restricted in the European Union, while it remains allowed for use in the United States.
BHA is allowed in the United States. US regulators have not imposed the same restrictions that apply across the EU.
Independent reviews flag BHA for documented health or environmental risks, which is why EU regulators acted while the US has not.
Choose certified-organic or EU-imported products, check labels, and scan barcodes with BannedPantry to flag BHA instantly.
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Audited products that don't contain BHA.
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