FDA announces review of BHA

The FDA has launched a review of the food preservative BHA, which was first approved by the agency in 1961.

As part of the review of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), the Food and Drug Administration is issuing a Request for Information to the public and industry. The chemical is used in a wide variety of food, including meat products, breakfast cereal, candy and ice cream. It is also used by the food industry on food contact surfaces.

In announcing the review of BHA, the Food and Drug Administration pointed to its general efforts to review chemical additives in the U.S. food supply.

“In May 2025, . . . the FDA identified BHA as a top priority for review,” according to an FDA statement. “The FDA’s post-market assessment of BHA used in food is one of several ongoing post-market assessments under the agency’s enhanced systematic process for scrutinizing chemicals in our food supply.”

The FDA listed BHA as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) in 1958 and approved it as a food additive in 1961. It is used to prevent spoilage of fats and oils. While packaged food label data indicate BHA use has declined in recent years, it remains present in many foods.

“We are taking decisive action to ensure that chemicals in our food supply are not causing harm,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. 

“The scientific community has raised significant concerns about some chemicals currently in the food supply. Once we complete our assessment of BHA, we expect to conduct similar assessments for butylated hydroxytoluene, a synthetic preservative known as BHT, and azodicarbonamide — a chemical used in yoga mats and also used as a dough conditioner.”

The FDA says health advocates have raised potential safety concerns regarding the use of BHA for decades. The National Institute of Health’s National Toxicology Program lists BHA as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” based on animal studies. BHA was recommended for re-assessment in several comments submitted to the public meeting docket for the Development of an Enhanced Systematic Process for the FDA’s Post-Market Assessment of Chemicals in Food that closed in January 2025.

The Make America Healthy Again Commission’s Strategy Report identified as a key priority the post market review of chemical additives in food, including food additives, food contact substances, GRAS substances, and color additives. 

For more information about the Request for Information on BHA, visit List of Select Chemicals in the Food Supply Under FDA Review | FDA.