Origin
The artificial food additive BHA is produced in a chemical process and belongs to the group of phenol ethers. The synthesis results in a white to yellowish solid substance that is very poorly soluble in water and unstable under light exposure. However, E 320 is highly heat stable.
Usage
E 320 is used to prevent changes in food caused by contact with oxygen. Especially high-fat foods tend to become rancid in this case. Therefore, BHA is particularly used in very fatty foods such as nuts. Since E 320 is highly heat stable, it does not lose its effectiveness even when baking or frying foods. Furthermore, E 320 can be found in baking mixes, snack items, chewing gum, and dry soups and spices.
Risks
There are differing evaluations of the antioxidant E 320. On one hand, it is considered potentially allergenic under certain circumstances but otherwise relatively harmless since BHA is excreted by the body relatively quickly and does not accumulate. On the other hand, it is pointed out that E 320 decomposes when heated and the other substances formed during this process are less harmless and can accumulate in the body. These effects have not been sufficiently investigated so far.