Ingredient Index · E321

Is BHT banned in Europe?

Restricted in EU

No. BHT is restricted, not banned, in the EU: authorized only for specific food categories at capped levels, while the US permits it broadly as GRAS across packaged foods.

E-number: E321CAS: 128-37-0 Also seen as: Butylated Hydroxytoluene, E321

What the EU does

Restricted. E321 is on the EU's authorized list under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, but only for a narrow set of categories (chiefly fats and oils for professional use, and chewing gum) at defined maximum levels. The blanket use across cereals and snacks that defines the American pattern is not authorized in the EU.

EFSA's re-evaluation kept an acceptable daily intake of 0.25 mg per kilogram of body weight. The evidence picture is genuinely mixed (some old studies suggested tumor promotion in rodents at high doses, others suggested protective antioxidant effects), which is why "restricted with limits" rather than "banned" is the accurate description.

Citation Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (E321, category-specific maximums)

What the US does

Broadly legal. BHT is GRAS under 21 CFR 182.3173 at up to 0.02% of a food's fat or oil content, and it is one of the most common preservatives in the American packaged-food aisle, most visibly in cereal, where it is often added to the packaging liner rather than the food itself.

General Mills and Kellogg's faced public campaigns to remove it in the 2010s and reformulated some lines. It remains legal, widespread, and (unlike BHA) not listed by the National Toxicology Program as an anticipated carcinogen.

Citation 21 CFR 182.3173 (BHT, GRAS up to 0.02% of fat content)

Products that commonly contain it

BHT keeps fats from going rancid through long shelf lives. In the US it appears in:

Breakfast cereals (Cheerios varieties, Frosted Flakes, and many others)
Chewing gum
Potato chips and snack crackers
Cooking oils and shortening
Packaged baked goods
Some pet foods and cosmetics

What to look for on a label

Easy to spot when present:

"BHT" or "butylated hydroxytoluene" in the ingredient list
"BHT added to packaging to preserve freshness", the cereal-liner phrasing
Often appears alongside BHA; they are different chemicals (E321 vs E320)
EU-market versions of the same cereals typically use vitamin E (tocopherols) instead

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Frequently asked questions

Is BHT banned in Europe?

No. E321 is authorized under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 for specific categories (mainly fats, oils, and chewing gum) at capped levels. The broad US-style use in cereals is not part of the EU authorization.

Is BHT legal in the United States?

Yes, as GRAS under 21 CFR 182.3173 at up to 0.02% of fat content. It is among the most common preservatives in US packaged food.

Why is BHT in American cereal but not European cereal?

EU rules don't authorize BHT in cereal categories, so European versions use alternatives like tocopherols (vitamin E). US makers add BHT to the cereal or its liner for shelf life.

Is BHT dangerous?

The evidence is mixed and dose-dependent: some high-dose rodent studies raised tumor-promotion questions, others found antioxidant benefits. EFSA set an ADI of 0.25 mg/kg; the FDA considers GRAS levels safe. Neither agency classifies it as a carcinogen.

Related ingredients

Primary sources

Last reviewed June 10, 2026 · How we assign statuses