Overview

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a preservative. It seems to be well tolerated by most people, and experts generally agree that it is safe when used as a preservative in a wide range of products. Although there are no known health benefits of BHT, it is an ingredient in many foods, skin care, toothpaste, and mouthwash products. It can also be bought as a capsule or powder to use as a food preservative.

Uses

What is butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) used for?

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a preservative found in many foods, drinks, and skin care products. Although it may sometimes be marketed for certain health problems, its benefits for any use are not well defined.

Note: BHT is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when it is used in small amounts as a preservative. Learn more about GRAS status here. Learn more about cosmetics here.

How does BHT work (mechanism of action)?

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a preservative that is added to foods, drinks, skin care, and oral health products to help keep them fresh and stable. BHT is not known to provide any health benefits.

Some concerns have been raised over the years regarding the safety of using BHT as a preservative. Certain animal studies have suggested that very large amounts of BHT can increase the risk of cancer or affect hormone levels. However, other animal research has found that BHT does not affect hormone levels and may actually decrease cancer risk. Importantly, there has not been any research in humans to study these concerns.

Over the past few decades, scientific experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) and European Commission have reviewed research that looks at the effects of BHT on cancer, hormones, and fertility in animals. These groups have confirmed that BHT is unlikely to cause health problems when added to foods, drinks, toothpastes, mouthwashes, or cosmetic products in reasonable amounts. Even when multiple products that contain BHT are used on a daily basis, any health risk is thought to be very low.

How should I store BHT?

You should store BHT according to the product label. Most food additives should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of BHT?

BHT seems to be well tolerated when used as a preservative. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.

There may be side effects of BHT that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of BHT?

While less common, the most serious side effects of BHT are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. BHT may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using BHT and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

• Breathing problems or wheezing
• Racing heart
• Fever or general ill feeling
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
• Itching or skin rash
• Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
• Stomach cramps
• Joint pain

Precautions

Who should not use BHT?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use BHT.

• Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist or other health care provider can tell you all of the ingredients in specific BHT products they stock.

What should I know about BHT before using it?

BHT is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as a preservative. It can be added to a wide range of products, including foods and cosmetics, but it cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

What should I tell my health care provider before using BHT?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and supplements you are using. This will help them know if BHT is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how BHT could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if BHT passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does BHT interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between BHT and foods or drinks. BHT is commonly added to foods and drinks as a preservative.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect BHT.

Does BHT interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and supplements you are using.

The interactions between BHT and medicines are not fully understood. As with most food additives, the research on drug interactions with BHT is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking BHT with any medicines.

Dosing

What should I do if I accidentally use too much BHT?

If you or someone else has used too much BHT, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Read the product label closely, and speak with a health care provider about how to take BHT safely. If you are adding BHT to your foods and drinks, do not use more than the amount recommended on the product label.