Safety assessment of butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene as antioxidant food additives

Food Chem Toxicol. 1999 Sep-Oct;37(9-10):1027-38. doi: 10.1016/s0278-6915(99)00085-x.

Abstract

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are widely used antioxidant food additives. They have been extensively studied for potential toxicities. This review details experimental studies of genotoxicity and carcinogenicity which bear on cancer hazard assessment of exposure to humans. We conclude that BHA and BHT pose no cancer hazard and, to the contrary, may be anticarcinogenic at current levels of food additive use.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / metabolism
  • Antioxidants / toxicity*
  • Butylated Hydroxyanisole / administration & dosage
  • Butylated Hydroxyanisole / metabolism
  • Butylated Hydroxyanisole / toxicity*
  • Butylated Hydroxytoluene / administration & dosage
  • Butylated Hydroxytoluene / metabolism
  • Butylated Hydroxytoluene / toxicity*
  • Carcinogenicity Tests
  • Carcinogens
  • Consumer Product Safety
  • Diet
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Food Additives*
  • Methylnitronitrosoguanidine
  • Mutagenicity Tests

Substances

  • Anticarcinogenic Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Carcinogens
  • Food Additives
  • Methylnitronitrosoguanidine
  • Butylated Hydroxytoluene
  • Butylated Hydroxyanisole