What Is BHA?
BHA, butylated hydroxyanisole, is an antioxidant added to food. Under 21 CFR 182.3169 the FDA lists it as generally recognized as safe for use in food when the total antioxidant content is not over 0.02 percent of the fat or oil content, used in accordance with good manufacturing practice. A separate food additive rule, 21 CFR 172.110, requires dry mixes for beverages and desserts to carry directions so the finished product contains no more than 2 parts per million BHA.
Its cancer listings come from animal studies. The National Toxicology Program's Report on Carcinogens lists BHA as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen, based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals. California's Proposition 65 list, published by OEHHA, has included butylated hydroxyanisole as a chemical known to cause cancer since January 1, 1990.
The FDA is reviewing it. In a February 11, 2026 Federal Register request for information, the FDA said it is conducting a post-market assessment of the safety of BHA in food, and intends to use the information it receives to determine whether BHA remains safe under its current conditions of use in food and as a food contact substance.
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.
The sources behind this answer
- Regulatory filingUnder 21 CFR 182.3169, BHA is generally recognized as safe for use in food when total antioxidant content is not over 0.02 percent of the fat or oil content, used in accordance with good manufacturing practice. US FDA, 21 CFR 182.3169 (eCFR) ↗
- Regulatory filingUnder 21 CFR 172.110, dry mixes for beverages and desserts must carry directions so the finished beverages and desserts contain no more than 2 parts per million BHA. US FDA, 21 CFR 172.110 (eCFR) ↗
- Government sourceThe National Toxicology Program lists BHA as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen, based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals. National Toxicology Program, Report on Carcinogens ↗
- Government sourceThe FDA lists BHA among select chemicals in the food supply under review and says it is beginning a post-market assessment of the safety of BHA as used in food and food contact materials. US FDA ↗
- Regulatory filingIn a February 11, 2026 Federal Register request for information, the FDA said it will use the information to determine if BHA remains safe under its current conditions of use in food and as a food contact substance. US FDA, Federal Register ↗
- Regulatory filingCalifornia's Proposition 65 list includes butylated hydroxyanisole for cancer with a listing date of January 1, 1990. California OEHHA, Proposition 65 list ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.