The Food and Drug Administration is soliciting public comment on two controversial chemical additives – butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and azodicarbonamide (ADA) – used in US food manufacturing.
The requests for information were announced May 12 alongside FDA‘s revamped post-market assessment program.
BHT is used as a preservative for fats and oils for foods like cereals, frozen food, baking mixes, cookies, chewing gum and meat products, FDA said in an announcement on Tuesday.
ADA is a whitening agent used in cereal flour, dough conditioner, breadmaking and manufacturing food contact materials, FDA noted.
In FDA’s list of select chemicals under review, the administration said it seeks data and information from stakeholders on dietary exposure, safety/toxicity and Generally Recognized as Safe and prior-sanctioned uses.
The public comment period closes on July 13, 2026. More information about the RFI’s are available on the Federal Register:
- Request for Information: Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
- Request for Information: Azodicarbonamide (ADA)
