BHA & BHT (Preservatives)

Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) are synthetic preservatives in cereal, chips, chewing gum, and hundreds of processed foods. BHA is listed by California as a known carcinogen and is banned in food in Japan, the EU restricts both. The National Toxicology Program classifies BHA as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen." The FDA considers them "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) at current usage levels. General Mills removed BHT from its cereals in 2015 after consumer pressure, but it remains in many other products. The disconnect between FDA and international standards is a recurring theme on this list.