FDA Launches Major Safety Review of Common Food Preservative BHA, Citing Cancer Concerns and Broader Crackdown on Chemical Additives
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2026 – Washington, D.C.
FDA Launches Major Safety Review of Common Food Preservative BHA, Citing Cancer Concerns and Broader Crackdown on Chemical Additives
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced a comprehensive scientific re-assessment of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a synthetic preservative used for decades in a wide range of processed foods. The agency has issued a formal Request for Information (RFI) to gather the latest safety data on the chemical, signaling a potential shift toward stricter regulations on ingredients long considered safe.
This action, taken on February 10, 2026, marks the first major review under the FDA’s newly strengthened post-market chemical assessment program. It specifically targets BHA’s current uses in food and as a food contact substance, evaluating whether modern science supports its continued presence in the American diet.
Why BHA is Under Scrutiny
While the FDA first approved BHA as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) in 1958 and as a food additive in 1961, the chemical has faced persistent criticism from public health advocates. The primary concern stems from its classification by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) , part of the National Institutes of Health, which lists BHA as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” based on evidence from animal studies.
Despite this long-standing designation, the preservative has remained legal and widely used to prevent spoilage in fats and oils. It is commonly found in potato chips, frozen meals, breakfast cereals, cookies, candy, ice cream, meat products, and even some packaging. Recent label data shows its use has declined, but it remains prevalent in products specifically marketed toward children.
A Shift in Food Safety Policy
The announcement signals an aggressive new posture from federal health leadership. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. , issued a stark rebuke of historical oversight, stating: "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 review is a direct implementation of recommendations from the Make America Healthy Again Commission’s Strategy Report, which prioritized post-market scrutiny of chemicals that slipped through regulatory cracks decades ago.
What Comes Next for BHA and Beyond
The FDA is now soliciting public and industry comments regarding BHA’s safety, usage levels, and human exposure data. The outcome could lead to restrictions or a full ban.
Furthermore, this review is just the beginning. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H. , confirmed that BHA is the first domino to fall in a planned series of assessments. "The scientific community has raised significant concerns about some chemicals currently in the food supply," Makary said. He identified butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) —a chemical relative of BHA—and azodicarbonamide, a dough conditioner also used in yoga mats and shoe soles, as the next targets for review.
A Systematic, Science-Driven Process
Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, Kyle Diamantas, emphasized that this is not a reactive measure but a systemic overhaul. "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," Diamantas stated.
The FDA is simultaneously advancing draft rulemaking to reform the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) notification process, aiming to close loopholes that allow companies to self-affirm the safety of ingredients without agency notification.
Background Context
BHA has been a flashpoint in food safety debates for nearly 40 years. While it is banned or restricted in the European Union and Japan for use in certain baby foods, the U.S. has historically permitted its widespread use. Today’s action represents the most significant federal effort in a generation to reconcile the modern food supply with aging regulatory approvals.
The public and industry stakeholders have until the docket closing date (to be announced in the Federal Register) to submit data for the BHA review.
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For media inquiries, contact the FDA Office of Media Affairs. To submit information regarding BHA, visit the FDA’s Select Chemicals in the Food Supply webpage.