Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)
Function: Antioxidant
E320 is the European food-additive number for Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA), an antioxidant — used to stop fats and oils going rancid and to protect colour. Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) (E320) is an antioxidant used as a food additive.
What is E320 used for?
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) (E320) is an antioxidant — used to stop fats and oils going rancid and to protect colour. It is added during food production for a technological purpose rather than for nutrition.
Is E320 safe or restricted?
E320 faces restrictions under EU rules on how, where, or in what quantities it may be used. Forkin classifies it as “Restricted use” and does not make health claims. See the methodology for how regulatory levels are assigned.
Frequently asked questions about E320
- What is E320?
- E320 is the E-number for Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA), an antioxidant — used to stop fats and oils going rancid and to protect colour. Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) (E320) is an antioxidant used as a food additive.
- What is E320 used for?
- Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) (E320) is an antioxidant — used to stop fats and oils going rancid and to protect colour. Manufacturers add it during processing rather than for nutrition. The Forkin app shows which products in your scan history actually contain it.
- Is E320 vegan or vegetarian?
- It depends on the source. Many additives can be produced from plant, mineral, or animal-derived raw materials, and the ingredient list rarely states which was used. The Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product where it's known, instead of a blanket guess.
- Is E320 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E320 faces restrictions under EU rules on how, where, or in what quantities it may be used. Forkin classifies it as "Restricted use" and does not make health claims — see the methodology page for how regulatory levels are assigned, and the Forkin app for the full profile, including acceptable daily intake (ADI) and restrictions by country.
See the full profile in Forkin
The Forkin app surfaces the full regulatory profile of E320 — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan/vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it.