FDA begins comprehensive review of food preservative BHA

On February 10, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a significant regulatory initiative to reassess the safety of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a long-established food preservative, under its post-market chemical review process.¹ The move reflects an ongoing investigation of food additives and shifting expectations around chemical safety evaluation in the food supply.

The chemical food preservative BHA has been widely used for decades to prevent degradation of fats and oils, the news release explains. First classified as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) in 1958 and approved as a food additive in 1961, it can be found in a variety of foods, including breakfast cereals, candy, ice cream, frozen meals, cookies, and meat products.

The shift in assessment of food chemicals

Central to the FDA’s re-evaluation is concern over BHA’s classification by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Toxicology Program (NTP). “BHA has remained in the food supply for decades despite being identified by the National Toxicology Program as ‘reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen’ based on animal studies,” stated Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “This reassessment marks the end of the ‘trust us’ era in food safety. If BHA cannot meet today’s gold-standard science for its current uses, we will remove it from the food supply and continue cleaning up food chemicals—starting where children face the greatest exposure.”

"The FDA is committed to ensuring the safety of chemicals in our food supply through rigorous, science-based evaluation," said Kyle Diamantas, Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods. "This comprehensive post-market assessment of BHA reflects our proactive approach to food safety and our dedication to protecting public health by continuously reviewing the latest scientific evidence."

The reassessment process begins with the FDA’s Request for Information (RFI). The RFI, scheduled to be published on February 11, 2026, seeks information from stakeholders on the current uses and safety data for BHA .²

Future examinations of food chemicals

BHA had been identified for review in a program launched by the FDA in May 2025 to investigate chemicals that come in contact with the food supply. Other chemicals have also been selected for further review.

"We are taking decisive action to ensure that chemicals in our food supply are not causing harm," explains FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H. "The scientific community has raised significant concerns about some chemicals currently in the food supply. Once we complete our assessment of BHA, we expect to conduct similar assessments for butylated hydroxytoluene, a synthetic preservative known as BHT, and azodicarbonamide — a chemical used in yoga mats and also used as a dough conditioner.”

MAHA initiatives on safety and transparency

The examination of food chemicals is part of the broader efforts of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative to review food additives, food contact substances, GRAS substances, and color additives, the news release also notes. Recent efforts have included an announcement in early February 2026 on changes “no artificial colors” labeling policy, as part of a shift away from petroleum-based food dyes and encourage adoption of natural-based dyes.³ The FDA has approved a total of six natural color additives.

Additionally, the news release states that the FDA has continued its effort to reform the GRAS framework, with the aim of increasing transparency and oversight in the process of adding ingredients to food. This initiative had been announced in March 2025.⁴

This article was created with assistance from AI. The content has been reviewed and edited by Erin McEvoy, Associate Editor. For more information on the extent and nature of AI usage, please contact us.

References

1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA Launches Assessment of BHA, a Common Food Chemical Preservative. February 10, 2026. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-launches-assessment-bha-common-food-chemical-preservative (Accessed 2026-02-10).
2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA); Request for Information. https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-02761.pdf (Accessed 2026-02-10).
3. McEvoy, E. FDA revises “no artificial colors” labeling policy to support shift away from synthetic dyes. February 5, 2026. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/fda-revises-no-artificial-colors-labeling-policy-to-support-shift-away-from-synthetic-dyes (Accessed 2026-02-10).
4. Krawiec, S. HHS announces efforts to eliminate independent conclusion of GRAS. March 11, 2025. https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/hhs-announces-efforts-to-eliminate-independent-conclusion-of-gras (Accessed 2026-02-10).