Butylated Hydroxy Toluene (BHT)

Description

Butylated Hydroxy Toluene, also known as BHT, is a lipophilic (fat-soluble) organic compound, that is useful for its antioxidant properties.  BHT is not a preservative it is an antioxidant.  The product behaves as a synthetic analogue of vitamin E, primarily acting to suppress autoxidation (rancidity), a process whereby unsaturated oily compounds are attacked by atmospheric oxygen.

European and U.S. regulations allow small percentages to be used as a food additive. While there may be some dispute in BHT’s use in the human diet, the product is widely used in the cosmetic and allied industry wherever oxidation in oils (vegetable oil) and other materials must be treated, and free radical formation through oxidation process must be kept in-check.  Butylated Hydroxy Toluene is primarily used as an additive that exploits its antioxidant properties. It is approved for use in European Union under E321 and in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration via regulation. This product is not for food applications