Why is bht added to packages

So where is the fat coming from? During the 90s, most companies transitioned from brand new white cardboard to recycled brown cardboard. And just as importantly, they transitioned from petroleum based inks to soy based ink. Now, soy based ink is great for the environment because it biodegrades in the trash, but therein lies the problem. The soybean oil in the ink biodegrades. It goes rancid. The colorful graphics printed on the box will eventually taste and smell a bit off.

Not only that, but the recycled paper is going to already contain some rancid ink from the newspaper and boxes that it was made of. Now, the plastic bags that cereal are packed in are very, very, close to being air- and liquid- tight, but they are not perfect.

In the course of sitting on the shelf, they will absorb odors and tastes from the outside world. This includes the smells and tastes of rancid box ink. Because the food is also absorbing some of those preservatives in the box, legally, box preservatives are also listed as a food ingredient.

Ink now has to have preservatives if it is going to be close to food. The plastic bags inside the box also have to be thicker because the boxes that our food are stored in already contains some rotten ink. And finally, we now eat more preservatives in our cereal, because the cereal absorbs some of the box. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top.

Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group. Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more. How does "BHT added to packaging material" actually work? Ask Question. Asked 7 years, 1 month ago. Active 2 years, 9 months ago. BHA and BHT are two common food additives that you might find listed on the package label of many popular foods. Many people question the safety of these food additives and it is an understandable concern.

Food manufacturers add butylated hydroxyanisole BHA and butylated hydroxytoluene BHT to foods like cereal and other dry goods to help the fats in these products stay fresher longer.

Both BHA and BHT are antioxidants , which means they can provide some protection from the damaging effects of oxygen exposure. Processed foods like potato flakes and dry breakfast cereals are usually packaged in air-proof packaging filled with something inert and harmless like nitrogen gas. But once you open the package, the contents are exposed to oxygen in the air.

The fats in processed foods react to the oxygen and go rancid. Foods with rancid fats taste bad and while a little rancid fat won't hurt you, it's probably not something you'd want to eat frequently.

BHA is added to a number of processed foods including butter, lard, meats, cereals, baked goods, sweets, beer , vegetable oils, potato chips , other snack foods, some nut products, dehydrated potatoes, and certain flavoring agents. BHT is used in chewing gum, animal feed, preserved meats, dehydrated foods, baked goods, snack foods, certain edible fats, and other foods that contain fats and additional flavoring.

You may wish to avoid them—but not necessarily because of the preservatives they contain. Whole or minimally processed foods are usually more nutrient-dense, providing more of the nutrition your body needs to function well.

Research has estimated the amount of BHA and BHT that would be present in an average diet and didn't find any problems. However, studies suggest that consuming unusually large quantities of BHA may have some interactions with hormonal birth control methods or steroid hormones.

Here's a close look at what some of the current research has to say about foods and other products containing these additives. As a precaution, vulnerable populations, such as infants, young children, and people who are pregnant or lactating may want to avoid BHA and BHT. The FDA considers foods containing approved levels of BHA and BHT safe for consumption and there is not enough evidence to show that these amounts pose a threat to human health. But larger doses may put you at risk for developing certain forms of cancer.

Despite this, cereal manufacturers like General Mills have actually removed BHT from their cereals to help clear up any confusion around safety and put consumers at ease. The best way to avoid BHT and BHA in food is to steer clear of packaged, processed foods and stick to fresh whole foods whenever possible.

Excessive consumption of ultra-processed food is linked to a number of chronic health conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, but that has little to do with BHT and BHA and more so to do with the high amounts of fat and added sugar found in these foods.

Food preservatives and additives like BHA and BHT are safe to consume in the specific dose recommended by the FDA, but keep in mind that scientific research on the long-term effects of higher doses is still ongoing.

The main health concern may not be the additives themselves, but rather, the nutritional value of the processed foods that contain them. Looking to lose weight? Our nutrition guide can help you get on the right track. Sign up and get it free! Updated April 1, Submit a Letter to the Editor for publication. Engage with us on Twitter. The power is now in your nitrile gloved hands Sign up for a free account to increase your articles. Or go unlimited with ACS membership. Chemistry matters.

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Thank you! Bomgardner February 19, A version of this story appeared in Volume 93, Issue 8. Subscribe ». You might also like General Mills Picks Natural Ingredients. An Empty Food Fight. Food Ingredient Tussle? Share X. To send an e-mail to multiple recipients, separate e-mail addresses with a comma, semicolon, or both. Submit Sending Robert Butnrock March 13, PM. The Food Babe's attacks on chemicals she knows nothing about make her the chief preacher of chemophobia.

Such baseless activism is exclusively self-promotional and is devoid of anything substantive. Much of her following is probably due to sex appeal.

Her propaganda should be actively resisted and discounted. Gail Lowe August 5, PM. Dave Wilson March 4, PM. I'm curious how much research you did on BHT before you made that rash comment and attack on the activist. From my reading, the research against it is rather compelling. Mark September 28, PM.

Dude, its not going to hurt us and I think this world has come to a selective diet and we are too particular about what is used in our food. If you don't like it, just don't eat it. Leave the people who want to eat it, eat it, after all, that is freedom. And ad for Kelloggs, its up to them ultimately what they want to do with their business in removing BHT.

So as for the activist, good for him that's his freedom, but at the same time, he isn't me and I don't think 1 person's voice should be able to overpower people who don't care about the BHT. Its just an additive to preserve freshness. I've done enough research on BHT to know I'm not scared of it. Dean November 26, PM. How about they put into your kids breakfast cereal even though the FDA said it was "safe" back then. You might think twice when a Government agency is claiming something is safe to ingest when they accept studies at face value from the manufacturer because they know they can get away with it.

Mark February 16, PM. Moderation of everything is "ok" for the human body. I understand health factors could arise from accumulated amounts, but in Moderation, you most likely will not have to worry. Robert March 3, PM. Joie March 19, PM. Very good points made Robert. Would never agree with Mark's ideology I believe it's very dangerous and irresponsible thinking.

Jessica May 18, PM. That is a fallacy. BHT is fat soluble, which means if you sit around eating packaged foods with bht all day, yes, you might get sick. But if you are a healthy person who exercises and eats very little packaged foods then the risk is as minimal as getting gasoline on your baby finger. That is a more accurate comparison. You are more likely to get sick from all the sugar you can consume from cereal than bht. I know this, because I understand chemistry.

Yu Na May 30, PM. LOL, you've essentially said that the same thing. The foods aren't safe! Especially if you don't exercise. Fihi Ma Fihi It is what it is. Well, I understand chemistry, but also visit clinics where people thought they were eating healthy and all of a sudden their heart or kidneys started to malfunction.

One of which was a police officer who built and trained like a bodybuilder before it happened. His 6pack was admired from what I heard. The outpouring of support was overwhelming. He also had a black belt in karate. Didn't drink or smoke. No history of kidney problems in the family.

Ate salads every day. Didn't eat sweets. Even some of the chemicals in dressings are also fuel additives. Eating a salad or 2 a day with a salad dressing and still having kidney failure. He worked out, plenty. Luckily for him, one of his fellow officers was a kidney match. I can't say the same for the other people from different walks of life that were and still are active, but will now have to undergo a procedure to have the device placed in their arm for dialysis that I've talked to.

Most of these chemicals are like any other drug, there can be an overdose side effect. But if you aren't told where the drugs are, then how can you limit the dose. What is the 1 dose? They aren't just in sugary foods. Don't fool yourself. I can't tell you how many people I talk that tell me they feel like they're being punished for being so judgmental of obese people.

Or how upset the 25 year old was when she was told that even one cold cut at a popular sandwich shop which she loved to eat at everyday could have put her in complete renal failure because she was walking around that close and didn't know. She only drank sports drinks and water all her life and thought that was healthy because it wasn't soda.

I think the parents should have known not be be given a child electrolyte drinks if they aren't low on electrolytes. I never drank Gatorade when I was growing up unless sick with the flu and hadn't eaten because of. Today, I don't think some parents think about it as more than just another drink at the machine.

Try looking at the back of some healthy stuff sometimes. Condiments also. Mixed in with the longer words towards the end after all the easy on the eye words. Anything baked really. I am sure you know what the Mono, Di and Tri represent so I don't have to explain. Don't be surprised. Many of them have a no more than 1 dose per 24 hour period, as drugs that is.

There are more than just a few. Before judging people who trust that a diet dressing is healthy on top of a plate of veggies, Please understand that people have had heart attacks at gyms and fitness facilities. I have talked with them also when they have their devices added. Especially in gym showers. When the body is in cool down mode. No matter how much one exercises, they can never achieve a cast iron kidney or heart. I do agree that we need to change eating habits in our country, but in reality, we have to look at the whole of things.

Not point the finger at someone for believing what they see advertised. Some people need to believe the family environment that a restaurant brags about. They need somewhere to take them. They want to take Mama to a nice restaurant once in a while.

Well, You have no idea what they buy or the ins and outs of preparation everywhere you've eaten. I saw a video once of a lady screaming at a FF employee because she asked for fresh food. To me, nothing they could do to it would make it fresh.