Ingredient register

TBHQ

Limit Antioxidant concern Food and drink E319 INS 319 CAS 1948-33-0

Decode Label flags TBHQ as a moderate concern in food and drink (antioxidant concern). It appears in 5 of the 893 published products we have analysed (0.6%).

The concern

Synthetic antioxidant — high doses linked to tumours in animals

TBHQ is a synthetic antioxidant used to extend shelf life of oils and fried foods. Animal studies at high doses showed tumour formation. Acceptable daily intake (ADI) is 0–0.7 mg/kg body weight. Children who consume large amounts of TBHQ-containing snacks may approach or exceed safe limits.

Most relevant to

Anyone eating this regularly Children

Cited authority

EFSA 2004; FDA 21 CFR 172.185

Linked sources: FDA →

How common it is in this catalogue

Measured across every product Decode Label has analysed — not estimated, and not taken from anyone else's dataset.

5 of 893 published products 0.6%

By category

Food 4

Haircare 1

Hazard classification

FDA 21 CFR 172.185 — total antioxidant content capped at 0.02% of oil/fat content Restricted route: oral 1972-01-01 source →

The limit is on TOTAL antioxidant content of the food's oil/fat fraction (TBHQ plus other permitted antioxidants combined), not on TBHQ added alone.

Identity

Canonical name: TBHQ
CAS number: 1948-33-0
E number: E319
INS number: 319

Also appears on labels as

Tertiary Butylhydroquinone tert-Butylhydroquinone

Questions

Is TBHQ safe?

FDA: 21 CFR 172.185 — total antioxidant content capped at 0.02% of oil/fat content. Why it is flagged: Synthetic antioxidant — high doses linked to tumours in animals. Decode Label treats it as a moderate concern in food and drink. It appears in 5 of the 893 published products we have analysed (0.6%).

How common is TBHQ in Indian packaged products?

Decode Label found TBHQ in 5 of 893 published products (0.6%), most often in Food, Haircare.

Which authorities have classified TBHQ?

FDA — 21 CFR 172.185 — total antioxidant content capped at 0.02% of oil/fat content.

Who should be most careful with TBHQ?

Anyone eating this regularly; Children.

Products containing TBHQ

5 published products, each with its own full analysis.

ACT II Nachoz Combo Pack Dabur Amla Hair Oil Priyagold Butter Bite Cookie Troovy Healthy Tangy Tomato Moong Dal Chips knorr Hong Kong Manchow Soup

Method and limits

Prevalence counts published products whose decoded ingredient list matches this substance or one of its label synonyms, using the same matching the score itself uses. It describes our catalogue of 893 products, not the Indian market as a whole.
Presence is not dose. An ingredient list gives order, not quantity, unless the pack declares a percentage. Nothing here estimates how much of this substance any product contains.
A classification is not a verdict on a product. An agency classifies a substance under defined conditions of exposure; whether that matters in a given food or cosmetic depends on route, concentration and use.
No regulatory rows. This substance is not matched in our regulatory warehouse, so the concern above rests on the cited authority alone.
Last updated. This register entry was last changed on 28 September 2026.
Corrections. Every figure here is reproducible from the sources named. If something is wrong, tell us and we will correct it and say what changed.