FDA initiates post-market safety assessment of synthetic antioxidant BHA in February 2026

The U.S. FDA launched a formal safety assessment of synthetic preservative BHA in February 2026 under its post-market review framework, alongside growing state-level restrictions in school food settings. This regulatory momentum is accelerating a broad shift away from synthetic antioxidants like BHA, BHT, and TBHQ toward natural botanical extracts such as tocopherols and green tea polyphenols. Food and beverage formulators are increasing focus on clean-label alternatives to prevent regulatory non-compliance and preserve market share.