Yes, although it may cause side effects such as stomach tumors at very high doses (3), the safety has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), as well as the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).

FDA
TBHQ may be safely used as an antioxidant alone or in combination with BHA and/or BHT and with the maximum use level 0.02% of oil or fat content in food. (4)

EFSA
Tertiary-butylhydroquinone (E319) is listed in Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as an authorised food additive and categorized in “ additives other than colours and sweeteners” (5).

Safety re-evaluation
EFSA stated TBHQ was not carcinogenic in its safety evaluation in 2004. (6)

An ADI (acceptable daily intake) of 0.7 mg/kg body weight (bw) was confirmed in 2004, which was established by the JECFA in 1998. (7)

Approved uses
Its application is listed together with BHA and propyl gallate, with the maximum level “25-400mg/kg”. The following are some of its uses (8):

Milk powder for vending machines  
Fats and oils for heat-treated foods
Frying oil and frying fat (excluding olive pomace oil) and lard, fish oil, beef, poultry and sheep fat
Processed nuts
Dehydrated products: potatoes, meat and soups & broths
Chewing gum
Cake mixes
Seasonings and condiments, sauces
Precooked cereals, cereal-based snack foods  
Solid/liquid form of food supplements (not for infants and young children)

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