TBHQ permitted as antioxidant for foods in EU

In addition to the well known and also highly effective antioxidants BHA, BHT, Propyl Gallate and Ascorbyl Palmitate, TBHQ will now be another choice for specific food applications.

14/07/05 The antioxidant Tertiary butyl-hydroquinone (TBHQ) is widely used in foods around the World. The FDA - Food and Drug Administration already approved TBHQ in the United States in 1972. Since then it has become widely used, proving itself to be highly effective, efficient and perfectly safe to use. Its approval is going to be finalized for Europe as stated in Amendment 10 of EU Directive 95/2/EC. TBHQ is labelled as E-319.

In addition to the well known and also highly effective antioxidants BHA, BHT, Propyl Gallate and Ascorbyl Palmitate, TBHQ will now be another choice for specific food applications. TBHQ is a white to light-tan powder and is considered as a very effective antioxidant, with good oxidative stability. The effectiveness of TBHQ increases when the oil is more unsaturated. The new EU directive approves the use of TBHQ up to 200 ppm in most foods, based on the food’s fat content.

TBHQ is a very hydrophilic antioxidant, resulting in a specific behaviour. This behaviour also makes it not easy to dissolve into fats or oils. TBHQ concentrates at the interfaces of the fat phase with water or air. It is exactly that interface of oils, fats and food products where oxidation starts most easily, TBHQ is there, ready to do its job.

While applying antioxidants, it is of utmost importance that the antioxidant thoroughly dissolves and that it is homogeneously blended throughout the fat or oil. Since only small amounts of antioxidants are required for the protection of food, the method of incorporating the antioxidants determines the success of stabilization. For oils and fats, the best way is to apply TBHQ as a concentrated and liquid antioxidant formulation.

The poor solubility of TBHQ in fats and oils strongly determine the composition of the concentrated antioxidant formulation. The antioxidant specialists at Vitablend used their experience and knowledge to develop the best solution to use TBHQ. Vitablend 103A uses Food Grade emulsifiers and special processing techniques, making a low viscous and highly soluble formulation for fats and oils.

Still BHA will one of the best choices as an antioxidant for oils, fats and other applications. BHA provides great protection and is easier to dissolve in oils. It also demonstrates great synergism with other antioxidants. Additionally, the carry through properties of BHA are still the best of all antioxidants.