The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has formally opened a reassessment of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), a synthetic antioxidant used to preserve fats and oils in foods, animal feed, food packaging and cosmetics. BHA has been listed as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) since 1958 and approved as a food additive since 1961.
The National Toxicology Program classifies BHA as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen” based on animal tumor data. FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary said the agency will conduct similar reviews of related chemicals including BHT and azodicarbonamide. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. described the move as “the end of the ‘trust-us’ era in food safety.”
For the pet industry, the review carries significant formulation risk. BHA is widely used in commercial pet foods and treats; any restriction would force manufacturers to reformulate with natural antioxidants such as vitamin E or rosemary extract. FDA has not proposed a ban yet, but manufacturers are being urged to audit formulations and comment in the docket.
