FDA announces review of BHA
The FDA has initiated 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 the industry. This chemical is used in a wide variety of foods, including meat products, breakfast cereals, candies, and ice cream. It is also used by the food industry on surfaces in contact with food.
In announcing the BHA review, the Food and Drug Administration highlighted its broad efforts to examine chemical additives found in the U.S. food supply.
“In May 2025, … the FDA identified BHA as a top priority for review,” according to an FDA release. “The FDA’s postmarket evaluation of BHA used in foods is one of several ongoing postmarket evaluations as part of the agency’s enhanced systematic process for reviewing chemicals in our food supply.”
The FDA classified 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. Although data on packaged food labels indicates that 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 do not cause harm,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary.
“The scientific community has expressed serious concerns about certain chemicals currently in the food supply. Once we complete our assessment of BHA, we plan 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 BHA use for decades. The National Institute of Health’s National Toxicology Program classifies BHA as “reasonably believed to be a human carcinogen” based on animal studies. Reevaluation of BHA was recommended in several comments submitted during the public meeting for the development of an improved systematic process for FDA’s postmarket evaluation of chemicals in foods, which closed in January 2025.
The Make America Healthy Again Commission’s strategic report identified as a key priority the post-market review of chemical additives in foods, including food additives, food contact substances, GRAS substances, and color additives.
For more information about requesting information about BHA, visit List of Certain Chemicals in the Food Supply Subject to FDA Review | FDA.
