FDA to reassess the safety of BHA, a preservative used in popular snack foods

Published: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 6:46 pm

FDA to Reassess Safety of Food Preservative BHA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Tuesday that it will reassess the safety of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a chemical preservative widely used in various food products. The agency has issued a request for information regarding BHA, which is found in items such as potato chips, cereals, frozen meals, and meat products.

The FDA's review will focus on whether BHA remains safe under its current usage conditions in food and as a food contact substance. This reassessment is part of a broader FDA initiative to review chemical additives within the U.S. food supply. The agency identified BHA as a high-priority substance for review in May.

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary stated that the agency is taking decisive action to ensure that chemicals in the food supply are not causing harm. BHA was initially classified as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA in 1958 and approved as a food additive in 1961. However, since 1991, the National Toxicology Program has classified BHA as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.

Health advocacy groups have long cautioned consumers to avoid products containing BHA, citing studies that have linked the chemical to cancer in laboratory animals. BHA has been listed as a known carcinogen under California's Proposition 65 since 1990.

The FDA noted that while the use of BHA appears to have declined in recent years, it is still present in numerous food products, including those marketed to children.

BNN's Perspective: The FDA's decision to re-evaluate BHA is a prudent step, given the conflicting information surrounding its safety. While the agency's initial approval of BHA was based on the available scientific data at the time, the subsequent findings from the National Toxicology Program and other studies warrant a thorough reassessment. This review reflects a commitment to consumer safety and a willingness to adapt to evolving scientific understanding. The FDA's actions will likely be welcomed by consumers who are increasingly concerned about the ingredients in their food.

Keywords: FDA, BHA, food additive, preservative, safety, carcinogen, food supply, review, health, consumer safety

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