Butylated hydroxyanisole (bha)

Studies in people

• Concern

  Additive intake in young children²

  In young children, eating butylated hydroxyanisole from foods like vegetable soups may exceed the safe daily amount.

Animal and lab studies only

• Concern

  Blood vessel health⁷

  In lab and animal studies, butylated hydroxyanisole harmed blood vessel cells, but scientists do not yet know if this happens in people.

• Concern

  Hormone balance in tissues⁸

  In lab studies, butylated hydroxyanisole blocked an enzyme that controls a hormone, which may raise hormone action in kidneys and placentas.

Study type not stated

• Concern

  Health risks of additive⁴

  Several studies show butylated hydroxyanisole may cause thyroid damage, growth and metabolic problems, and cancer.

• Concern

  Cell and DNA damage⁵

  Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) can cause cell and DNA damage when absorbed in high doses through the gut.

• Open question

  Gut bacteria⁶

  Butylated hydroxyanisole changed some gut bacteria genes but not the overall mix.

How it’s made and used

• Food sources of additive³

  In Lebanese children aged 9 to 18, bread and biscuits were the main sources of BHA.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least two findings in people. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.