Butylated hydroxyanisole
E320
E320, BHA, butylated hydroxyanisole, hidroxianisol butilado, tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole, butylhydroxyanisole
What it is
A synthetic antioxidant used to prevent fats and oils in foods from spoiling.
Why BOTIA flags it
BHA is E320, an authorised antioxidant. EFSA found no genotoxicity concern in 2011 and set an intake limit of 1.0 mg/kg body weight a day. IARC's Group 2B describes a possible cancer hazard, not the risk at actual dietary exposure.
BOTIA CAN
- Spot E320 or BHA in the ingredient list.
- Show BHA's own EFSA intake limit and its IARC Group 2B hazard classification.
BOTIA CANNOT
- Confirm if the BHA was combined with other antioxidants to produce a synergistic 'cocktail effect'.
- Determine the shelf-life extension achieved by the specific dose of BHA used.