BHA and BHT in food and feed

 1.Introduction to BHA and BHT

Butyl hydroxyanisole(BHA)and butylated hydroxytoluene(BHT)are common antioxidants that can slow down or prevent the oxidation and rancidity of ingredients such as oils and fats,ensuring the safety and quality of related products during storage and use.

 They have stable chemical properties and can adapt to a variety of processing environments,so they are widely used in food,medicine,cosmetics,feed(including pet food)and chemical industries.BHA can release hydrogen atoms to prevent the formation of free radicals,while BHT is characterized by its ability to remove already generated free radicals.Due to this complementary mechanism,they are often used together.BHA also has strong antibacterial power,which can inhibit the growth of Aspergillus flavus and reduce the ability of aflatoxin to induce liver cancer.
 

 2.Application of BHA and BHT in food

 The Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives(JECFA)under the World Health Organization,the European Food Safety Authority,the US Food and Drug Administration,the Canadian Ministry of Health and many other authoritative organizations have recognized the safety of BHA and BHT after detailed evaluation.In China's"National Food Safety Standard Food Additive Usage Standard"(GB 2760-2014),the maximum allowable amount of BHA and BHT in foods such as canned nuts and seeds,fried noodles,grain flour,dried aquatic products,biscuits,and instant rice and flour products is 200 mg/kg(based on the content in fats and oils),and 400 mg/kg for gum-based candies(such as chewing gum).

 The EU has also made regulations on the maximum use of BHA and BHT as food additives,and its categories and limits are basically similar to those in China,mainly 200 or 400 mg/kg.The United States has relatively more detailed management of BHA and BHT limits in food,but most of the limits are also 100 or 200 mg/kg.Of course,due to the different consumption habits and dietary structures of residents in different countries,such differences are normal.

 3.Application of BHA and BHT in feed(including pet food)

 The rancidity of fats in feed is not good for animal health,so BHA and BHT have been included in China's"Feed Additive Variety Catalog(2008)"as legal feed antioxidants,suitable for all kinds of farmed animals.The"Safety Use Specifications for Feed Additives"stipulates that the upper limit of BHA and BHT added to compound feed or total mixed diet(similar to the common cat and dog food on the market)is 150 mg/kg.If both are used at the same time,the total amount should not exceed 150 mg/kg.If added to fats used to prepare feed,the limit is 200 mg/kg(consistent with food).

 Similarly,the EU's"Regulations on the Approval of Butylated Hydroxyanisole as a Feed Additive for All Animals Except Cats"implemented in 2020 and the"Regulations on the Approval of Butylated Hydroxyanisole as a Feed Additive for Cats"implemented in 2022 stipulate that BHA can be mixed with BHT for various animal feeds including cats,with a maximum addition of 150 mg/kg.The U.S.Food and Drug Administration(FDA)and the American Association of Feed Control Officials(AAFCO)require that the amount of BHA and BHT added as feed additives should not exceed 200 mg/kg(calculated based on the content in fats and oils).It can be seen that China's relevant standards are actually a combination of EU and US standards and are adopted equivalently.

 4.Summary

 BHA and BHT,as widely used antioxidants,have positive significance for maintaining the safety and quality of food,medicine,cosmetics,feed(including pet food)and other products during storage and use.China,the EU and the United States have roughly the same management requirements for them.The content of BHA and BHT in the above products can be detected by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography.As long as they are used reasonably within the scope and limit specified by relevant regulations,they are safe and reliable.