TBHQ

Also known as: tertiary butylhydroquinone, tert-Butylhydroquinone, E319

Moderate concernunder our published method

By NordicScan Evidence Engine · generated from structured evidence records · source spans verified by automated gates · Reviewed 2026-07-08 · Evidence snapshot geo-wave1-evidence-snapshot-2026-07-08 · Scoring engine det_v3 · how we score.

What it is

TBHQ is an antioxidant preservative used to slow rancidity in fats, oils and foods containing those ingredients.

Why people ask

People ask because it appears in snack and oil-containing product labels and has a named US food-additive rule.

What our method flags — by use

Food · US federal

In US food, our method rates TBHQ as moderate-concern because it is a listed antioxidant additive with prescribed conditions.

The US listed by 21 CFR 172.185 TBHQ, also known as tertiary butylhydroquinone, as a food additive used as an antioxidant under prescribed conditions.

Authority / source	Finding (our paraphrase)	Evidence tier	Date	Link
eCFR / US FDA	The US listed by 21 CFR 172.185 TBHQ, also known as tertiary butylhydroquinone, as a food additive used as an antioxidant under prescribed conditions.	authority_regulatory	2026-07-06	source

Evidence coverage for this use: Limited (computed from source count × authority tier × recency; signals depth, does not change the concern band).

How this moves a product’s score

On a product score, TBHQ contributes a moderate concern signal from its additive status and use-condition limits.

Nordic Scan provides ingredient information and a concern score under our published method, for general consumer research. It is not medical advice and not a medical device, and does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or determine the safety of any product. Decide for yourself.

This is what TBHQ is. What’s in the products you buy? Scan a label and see the concern signals our method flags. Get the app.

Reviewed 2026-07-08 · Evidence snapshot geo-wave1-evidence-snapshot-2026-07-08 · Scoring engine det_v3 · Sources checked 2026-07-08 · See how we score.