What is BHA and BHT?

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) are synthetic antioxidants widely used in the food industry as preservatives to prevent oils in foods from oxidizing and becoming rancid. They are found in a variety of products including dog foods, breakfast cereals, nut mixes, chewing gum, butter, some meats, dehydrated potatoes, and even beer. These chemicals can also be present in non-food items like cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

However, there are concerns regarding their safety. BHA, for instance, has been shown to cause cancer in rats and is "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen," according to the US Department of Health and Human Services' National Toxicology Program's 2011 report on carcinogens. Both BHA and BHT are banned in some parts of the European Union and Japan due to these safety concerns 1.