FDA to Review Safety of BHA Preservative in Foods

Wed Feb 11 2026 01:48:05 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is revisiting the safety of BHA, a common food preservative, as part of a broader initiative to evaluate chemical additives in the U.S. food supply.

Federal health officials announced they will reassess butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a preservative found in various food products, to determine its safety for consumption. This review stems from concerns over BHA's classification as a 'reasonably anticipated human carcinogen' by the National Toxicology Program. Health advocacy groups have long warned against BHA due to potential cancer risks, especially in products aimed at children. The move reflects the FDA's ongoing efforts to scrutinize chemical additives in food.

Federal health officials stated this Tuesday that they will reassess the safety of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a chemical used in various food products including potato chips, cereals, frozen meals, and meat products.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a new request for information regarding BHA, as they evaluate whether it remains safe under current food use conditions. This initiative is part of a broader effort by the FDA to review chemical additives found in the U.S. food supply.

In May, the agency identified BHA as a priority for review. We are taking decisive action to ensure that chemicals in our food supply are not causing harm, stated FDA Commissioner Marty Makary.

BHA was first categorized as 'generally recognized as safe' (GRAS) in 1958 and approved as a food additive in 1961. However, it has been listed since 1991 as 'reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen' by the National Toxicology Program.

Health advocacy groups, such as the Center for Science in the Public Interest, have advocated for consumers to avoid BHA, citing studies that indicate it may cause cancer in animals. Furthermore, BHA has been classified as a known carcinogen under California’s Proposition 65 since 1990.

Although the use of BHA has declined recently according to packaging data, it still remains a component in numerous foods, particularly those marketed toward children.