E321

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)

E Number E321
Name Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
Class Antioxidants
Groups
Additional details Antioxidant
Origin Synthetic
Common applications Animal fat, dairy products, sauces, mayonnaise, chips, biscuits, breakfast cereals, chewing gum, multivitamin products
Observations Not recommended in children and pregnant women. At high doses, may cause hyperactivity, asthma, urticaria, insomnia, increase cholesterol levels and trigger problems of liver metabolism. At long-term may be carcinogenic.
Evaluation To avoid

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Conditions of use in food categories

Category Number Category Name Maximum Level (mg/l or mg/kg as appropriate) Details Restrictions/exceptions
02.1 Fats and oils essentially free from water (excluding anhydrous milkfat)100Expressed on fat basisonly fats and oils for the professional manufacture of heat-treated foods; frying oil and frying fat (excluding olive an pomace oil) and lard, fish oil, beef, poultry and sheep fat
02.2.2 Other fat and oil emulsions including spreads as defined by Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 and liquid emulsions100only frying fat
05.3 Chewing gum400The additives may be added individually or in combination 
12.2.2 Seasonings and condiments200The additives may be added individually or in combination Maximum limit expressed on fat 
17.1 Food supplements supplied in a solid form including capsules and tablets and similar forms, excluding chewable forms400The additives may be added individually or in combination 
17.2 Food supplements supplied in a liquid form400The additives may be added individually or in combination 
17.3 Food supplements supplied in a syrup-type or chewable form400The additives may be added individually or in combination