E320 Butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) – Food Additive
E320 (Butylhydroxytoluene, BHT) is a synthetic antioxidant food additive used in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals to protect fats and oils from oxidation and spoilage.
Things worth knowing about "E320"
E320 (Butylhydroxytoluene, BHT) is a synthetic antioxidant food additive used in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals to protect fats and oils from oxidation and spoilage.
What is E320?
E320 is the European approval number for Butylhydroxytoluene (BHT, also known as dibutylhydroxytoluene). It is a synthetically produced, phenolic antioxidant widely used in the food industry, in cosmetic products, and in pharmaceutical preparations. BHT prevents or slows down the oxidation of fats and fat-soluble ingredients, thereby protecting products from rancidity and loss of quality.
Uses and Occurrence
E320 is found in a wide variety of products:
- Food products: Edible oils, fats, chewing gum, snacks, dried soups, cereal bars, and processed meat products
- Cosmetics and personal care products: Creams, lipsticks, lip balms, and hair care products
- Pharmaceuticals: As a stabilizer in tablets, ointments, and packaging materials
- Animal feed: To preserve fats in pet and livestock food
In the European Union, E320 is approved under EU Food Additive Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008 for specific food categories at defined maximum permitted levels.
Mechanism of Action
BHT is a so-called chain-breaking antioxidant. It interrupts the chain reactions of lipid peroxidation by scavenging free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules formed when fats come into contact with oxygen, leading to oxidative deterioration (rancidity). BHT donates a hydrogen atom to the free radical, neutralizing it and breaking the oxidation chain. The resulting BHT radical is far less reactive and does not trigger further chain reactions.
Safety and Health Assessment
The safety of E320 is regularly assessed by national and international authorities:
- The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has established an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for BHT of 0.25 mg per kilogram of body weight per day.
- The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) considers BHT safe when used within recommended limits.
- Some studies have suggested potential endocrine-disrupting properties of BHT. These findings are continuously monitored by EFSA but have not been considered a health concern at typical dietary exposure levels.
- At very high doses -- far exceeding levels found in food -- BHT has shown liver-toxic effects in animal studies. Such doses are not achievable through normal food consumption.
Labelling and Regulation
In the EU, E320 must be declared on food labels either by its E number (E320) or its full chemical name Butylhydroxytoluene. Permitted maximum levels vary depending on the food category and typically range between 25 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of fat. In some countries outside the EU, such as Japan, BHT is not permitted or is only very restrictively allowed in food products.
Difference from E321
BHT (E320) is frequently used alongside Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA, E321), a closely related synthetic antioxidant. Both substances serve similar functions but differ in their chemical structure and specific food applications. They are often used in combination, as they can act synergistically to enhance antioxidant effectiveness.
References
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Re-evaluation of butylated hydroxytoluene BHT (E 320) as a food additive. EFSA Journal, 2012. Available at: https://www.efsa.europa.eu
- FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA): Butylated Hydroxytoluene. WHO Food Additives Series. Geneva: WHO.
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on food additives. Official Journal of the European Union.
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