BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Calcium Propionate — Which Is Worse?

FactorBHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)Calcium Propionate
E-NumberE320E282
CategoryPreservativePreservative
SeverityModerate Risk (6/10)Moderate Risk (6/10)
FDA StatusFDA classifies BHA as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) at levels up to 0.02% of the fat or oil content of food (21 CF…FDA classifies calcium propionate as GRAS (21 CFR 184.1221). No ADI established in the US; considered safe at current us…
EFSA StatusEFSA set a group ADI of 1.0 mg/kg body weight/day for BHA in 2011. It is approved in the EU but usage is restricted to s…EFSA approved with no numerical ADI. Re-evaluated in 2014 as part of the propionic acid group (E 280-283). EFSA noted no…
Banned In——
Products Found412

Key Differences

Health Concerns Comparison

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)

Calcium Propionate

Which Products Use Each?

4
products contain BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
12
products contain Calcium Propionate

⚖️ The Verdict

Both BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and Calcium Propionate have the same severity score (6/10). Neither is clearly worse than the other based on current data.

Both ingredients should be consumed mindfully. Use CheckIt AI to scan products and avoid whichever ones concern you most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) or Calcium Propionate worse?
Both BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and Calcium Propionate have the same severity score (6/10). Neither is clearly worse based on available data.
What is the difference between BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and Calcium Propionate?
Both are preservatives. BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) has a severity of 6/10 and is found in 4 products. Calcium Propionate has a severity of 6/10 and is found in 12 products.
Are BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and Calcium Propionate banned?
BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) is not currently banned in any major market. Calcium Propionate is not currently banned in any major market.
How can I avoid both BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and Calcium Propionate?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag both BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) and Calcium Propionate and suggest safer alternatives.
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BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) Deep Dive Calcium Propionate Deep Dive All 180 Comparisons All Ingredients Ingredients Banned in Europe Scoring Methodology

⚕️ This comparison is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary guidance.

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📋 Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Calcium Propionate — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bha-vs-calcium-propionate
MLA"BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Calcium Propionate — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bha-vs-calcium-propionate.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bha-vs-calcium-propionate">BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Calcium Propionate — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientsbhavscalciumpropionate, title = {BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Calcium Propionate — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/bha-vs-calcium-propionate}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }