What E320 actually is
BHA stops fats and oils going rancid, which extends shelf life in products where fat would otherwise turn. It is used at very low levels, typically under 0.02 percent of the fat content, and often paired with BHT.
What it is made from
Synthesised from petrochemical feedstock, with no plant or animal input.
Vegan, vegetarian, and halal status
Fully synthetic, so it suits vegan, vegetarian, halal, and kosher diets.
Is E320 safe?
This one needs stating precisely, because it is widely misreported in both directions. The US National Toxicology Program lists BHA as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. That listing rests on rodent studies where high doses produced forestomach tumours in rats and hamsters. Humans have no forestomach, and that organ-specific mechanism is the main reason regulators did not ban it. EFSA re-evaluated BHA in 2011 and set an acceptable daily intake of 1 mg per kg of body weight per day, concluding exposure was below it. California lists it under Proposition 65. So: a real listing, a real limit, and a genuine scientific argument about whether the rodent mechanism transfers to people.
- Listed by the US National Toxicology Program as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen
- The rodent tumours occurred in the forestomach, an organ humans do not have, which is central to why it remains permitted
- Listed under California Proposition 65
- EFSA acceptable daily intake of 1 mg per kg of body weight per day
Where regulators stand
- EFSA (EU)
- Re-evaluated in 2011. Acceptable daily intake of 1 mg per kg of body weight per day.
- US National Toxicology Program
- Listed as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen, based on rodent forestomach tumours.
- FDA (US)
- Generally recognized as safe at limited levels, typically capped at 0.02 percent of fat content.
Foods it turns up in
- Fats, oils, and shortening
- Snack foods and crisps
- Chewing gum
- Dehydrated potato products
- Some cereals and preserved meats
Names it hides behind
- E320
- BHA
- Butylated hydroxyanisole
- Antioxidant (E320)
Common questions
- Is BHA a carcinogen?
- The US National Toxicology Program lists it as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen, based on rodent studies. The tumours arose in the forestomach, which humans do not have, and that is the central argument for why it stays permitted with a limit.
- Is BHA banned?
- No. It is permitted in the EU, UK, and US at controlled levels, and it is listed under California Proposition 65.
- Is BHA vegan and halal?
- Yes. It is entirely synthetic with no animal-derived input.
- What is the difference between BHA and BHT?
- They do the same job and are often used together. BHA carries the NTP carcinogen listing; BHT does not, and its evidence picture is different.
- How do I avoid BHA?
- It must be declared, so it appears as BHA or E320 on the ingredient list. Products using rosemary extract (E392) or tocopherols (E306) are using plant antioxidants instead.
Checking a real pack
This page answers the code. The pack in your hand is what decides, because the same code can come from different sources depending on the manufacturer. LabelWise, formerly SafeChoice, scans the label and explains what is in front of you.
LabelWise content is educational and describes how additives are made, regulated, and labelled. It is not medical, dietary, or religious advice. For certification questions, the mark on the pack and the certifying body are the authority.