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Butylhydroxytoluene (BHT, E321) – Effects & Safety

Butylhydroxytoluene (BHT, E321) is a synthetic antioxidant used as a food additive and in cosmetics to prevent fats and oils from becoming rancid.

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Things worth knowing about "Butylhydroxytoluene"

Butylhydroxytoluene (BHT, E321) is a synthetic antioxidant used as a food additive and in cosmetics to prevent fats and oils from becoming rancid.

What is Butylhydroxytoluene?

Butylhydroxytoluene (abbreviated BHT) is a synthetically produced organic compound belonging to the group of phenolic antioxidants. In the food industry, it is approved under the EU food additive number E321. BHT is used to protect fatty foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial products from oxidative degradation. The substance appears as a white to slightly yellowish crystalline powder with a characteristic odor.

Mechanism of Action

BHT functions as a free radical scavenging antioxidant. It interrupts the chain reaction of lipid oxidation by neutralizing free radicals that are generated during the oxidation of fatty acids. This delays the rancidity of fats and oils and extends the shelf life of treated products. Chemically, BHT is known as 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol.

Areas of Application

Food Products

In the food industry, BHT (E321) is primarily used in the following products:

Chewing gum and chewing gum base
Dried soups and bouillon powders
Fats, oils, and baked goods produced with them
Snack products and processed foods with a high fat content

Cosmetics and Personal Care Products

BHT is a common ingredient in creams, lotions, lip care products, and other cosmetic items, where it helps maintain the stability of fats and oils contained in the formulation.

Pharmaceuticals and Industrial Products

In the pharmaceutical industry, BHT serves as a stabilizer in ointments and tablets. In the industrial sector, it is used as an antioxidant in plastics, rubber, and lubricants.

Regulatory Approval

In the European Union, BHT is approved as food additive E321 under Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008, but only for specific food categories and with defined maximum permitted levels. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated BHT on multiple occasions and established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0.25 mg per kg body weight per day.

Safety and Health Assessment

The safety of BHT has been extensively studied. In the European Union and the United States (where BHT is classified by the FDA as generally recognized as safe), the substance is considered safe at approved levels. Nevertheless, there are some points of discussion:

Allergic reactions: In rare cases, BHT can trigger skin reactions or contact allergies.
Hormonal effects: Some animal studies suggest weak estrogenic properties; regulatory authorities consider the relevance for humans at typical intake levels to be low.
Cancer research: Animal studies at very high doses have produced contradictory results, showing both tumor-promoting and tumor-inhibiting effects. Regulatory authorities do not consider there to be an increased cancer risk for humans at approved levels.
Accumulation in the body: BHT is fat-soluble and can accumulate in adipose tissue; however, with a normal diet, exposure remains well below levels of concern.

Identifying BHT on Product Labels

Consumers can identify BHT on food labels under the name butylated hydroxytoluene or as E321. In cosmetics, it is listed under the INCI name BHT.

References

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Re-evaluation of butylated hydroxytoluene BHT (E 321) as a food additive. EFSA Journal, 2012.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) substances – BHT. FDA Database, 2023.
Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on food additives.

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