TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) vs Propyl Gallate — Which Is Worse?

FactorTBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone)Propyl Gallate
E-NumberE319E310
CategoryPreservativePreservative
SeverityModerate Risk (6/10)Moderate Risk (6/10)
FDA StatusFDA-approved at levels not exceeding 0.02% of the fat or oil content (21 CFR 172.185). FDA classifies it as a food addit…FDA-approved as GRAS at levels not exceeding 0.02% of the fat or oil content of food (21 CFR 184.1660). Used in combinat…
EFSA StatusEFSA set an ADI of 0.7 mg/kg body weight/day in 2004. Approved in the EU with restricted maximum levels.EFSA re-evaluated in 2014 and established a group ADI of 0.5 mg/kg body weight/day for gallates (E 310-312).
Banned In——
Products Found40

Key Differences

Health Concerns Comparison

TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone)

Propyl Gallate

Which Products Use Each?

4
products contain TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone)
0
products contain Propyl Gallate

⚖️ The Verdict

Both TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) and Propyl Gallate 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 TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) or Propyl Gallate worse?
Both TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) and Propyl Gallate have the same severity score (6/10). Neither is clearly worse based on available data.
What is the difference between TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) and Propyl Gallate?
Both are preservatives. TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) has a severity of 6/10 and is found in 4 products. Propyl Gallate has a severity of 6/10 and is found in 0 products.
Are TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) and Propyl Gallate banned?
TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) is not currently banned in any major market. Propyl Gallate is not currently banned in any major market.
How can I avoid both TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) and Propyl Gallate?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag both TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) and Propyl Gallate and suggest safer alternatives.
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⚕️ 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). "TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) vs Propyl Gallate — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/tbhq-vs-propyl-gallate
MLA"TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) vs Propyl Gallate — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/tbhq-vs-propyl-gallate.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/tbhq-vs-propyl-gallate">TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) vs Propyl Gallate — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientstbhqvspropylgallate, title = {TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) vs Propyl Gallate — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/tbhq-vs-propyl-gallate}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }