BHA (Synthetic Preservative)

Natural vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) and rosemary extract also keep fats from spoiling. They are milder and give a shorter shelf life, but avoid the open questions about BHA.

BHA, short for butylated hydroxyanisole, is a synthetic antioxidant that keeps the fats in pet food from going rancid. FDA lists BHA as GRAS in animal feed when the total antioxidant content is no more than 0.02% of the fat or oil content. In studies in rats, high doses caused tumors in the forestomach. Tufts veterinary nutritionists say there is no scientific proof of health effects from synthetic preservatives. If your cat has a medical condition, talk with your veterinarian.

Source: ecfr.gov

BHA is butylated hydroxyanisole, a synthetic antioxidant used as a preservative. It is added to fats and oils, or to the fat sprayed on kibble, to slow the oxidation that turns fat rancid. That keeps the food from going stale as quickly on the shelf. On a label it may appear as BHA or spelled out as butylated hydroxyanisole.

We found no study showing that BHA causes cancer in cats. The concern comes from studies in rats, where a diet containing 2% BHA for two years caused tumors in the forestomach. FDA still allows BHA in animal feed within a 0.02% limit on total antioxidants in the fat. Tufts veterinary nutritionists say no health effects from synthetic preservatives have ever been scientifically documented.

Source: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

FDA lists BHA as GRAS in animal feed only when the total content of antioxidants is no more than 0.02% of the fat or oil content of the food. That cap covers all antioxidants together, essential oil content included. A food that pairs BHA with BHT has to fit both under the same ceiling. Labels show that BHA is present but not how much.

Source: ecfr.gov

Pettings gives BHA 0 out of 5 and lists it as a synthetic preservative. It appears on 6 of the 149 dry cat foods we list. Zero is the lowest score on our scale. Each food's page shows how it scores overall.