Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA): occurrence, metabolites and health risks
What it found
Several studies have linked BHA to thyroid damage, metabolic and growth disorders, neurotoxicity and cancer.
The paper says food is the main way people take it in.
What they found
Studies in people
How people are exposed
Food is the main way people take in BHA.
Animal and lab studies
Possible mechanisms
The toxic effects of BHA appear to be linked to hormone disruption, damage to genetic material, disturbed energy metabolism, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), signaling pathways, and imbalances in calcium levels.
Studies in people and animals
Health effects
Several studies have shown that BHA could cause damage to the thyroid system, metabolic and growth disorders, harm to the nervous system, and cancer.
Other findings
Main use and spread
BHA is mainly used as a food additive because it stops or slows oxidation and makes products last longer. It is now found widely in the environment and in human tissues.
Metabolites
Under different conditions BHA can break down into different substances. One of the main products is tert-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ).
What the authors conclude
“Avoiding the toxic effects of BHA to the maximum extent possible is a top priority.”
Also in their conclusions
- They say avoiding the toxic effects of BHA to the maximum extent possible is a top priority.
- They advise that finding safe, non-toxic and environmentally friendly alternatives to BHA should be the focus of subsequent research.
How it was done
BHA is widely used as a food additive and is now found in the environment and in human tissues. The authors wanted to review what is known about BHA and its health risks.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This is a review of other studies, so it cannot show cause and effect on its own.
- The studies it covers include lab and animal work, which cannot show what happens in people.
Who paid
- Funding
- Funded by Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances; National Natural Science Foundation of China (from the PubMed record).
- Authors work at
- The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, China
The paper
- Title
- A review of the occurrence, metabolites and health risks of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Zhang XJ, Diao MN, Zhang YF (2023). A review of the occurrence, metabolites and health risks of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). Journal of the science of food and agriculture. doi:10.1002/jsfa.12676PubMed 37127924DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error