BHA & BHT - Iryna Popyk

(5)

(5)

(4)

(5)

BHA: Butylated Hydroxyanisole

Consisting of a mixture of two isomeric organic compounds, 2-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole and 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (1)

BHA is generally used to keep fats from becoming rancid. It is found in butter, meats, cereals, chewing gum, baked goods, snack foods, dehydrated potatoes, and beer. It is also found in animal feed, food packaging, cosmetics, rubber products as well as petroleum products.(1)

BHA also is commonly used in medicines, such as isotretinoin, lovastatin, and simvastatin (2)

The US National Institutes of Health report that BHA is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals. In particular, when administered in high doses as part of their diet (1)

 

BHT: Butylhydroxytoluene

Consisting of a mixture of p-cresol (4-methylphenol) and isobutylene (2-methylpropene)

BHT is often added to cereal packaging, from where it migrates into the cereal, in order “to help maintain freshness. BHT also prevents oxidative rancidity of fats. It is used to preserve food odor, color, and flavor. Many packaging materials incorporate BHT. It is also added directly to shortening, cereals, and other foods containing fats and oils.

There are reports that BHT inhibits formations of some types of tumors and is also protective against carbon tetrachloride poisoning.

References:

1)Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., BHA and BHT, Retrieved on March 9, 2014, from http://chemistry.about.com/od/foodcookingchemistry/a/bha-bht-preservatives.htm

2) Baur, A.K. et al., "The lung tumor promoter, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), causes chronic inflammation in promotion-sensitive BALB/cByJ mice but not in promotion-resistant CXB4 mice," Toxicology 169, no.

3) Retrieved from, http://www.davidsuzuki.org/fr/champs-dintervention/sante/enjeux-et-recherche/substances-toxiques/bha-et-bht/

4) Retrieved from, naturallysavvy.com

5) Retrieved from, www.stopkillingmykids.com