Studies on these chemicals are disturbing. As early as 1974, a study by Stokes and Scudder reported that when pregnant mice were fed BHA and BHT, it affected the brain chemistry of their offspring, reducing their cholinesterase and serotonin to half the normal levels. They reported , “The affected mice weighed less, slept less and fought more than normal controls.”

These preservatives continue to enjoy GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status despite evidence that they are:

Toxic to various cells and organs<1>

Tumor promoters<2>

Weaken the immune system<3>

Impact the nervous system and behavior<4>

Have a negative effect on sperm and/or egg production<5>

Damage reproduction and development<6>

BHA has been listed as a cancer-causing chemical since the 6th Annual Report on Carcinogens in 1991. It has been listed as a carcinogen in every report since then. In the year 2011, the 12th Report on Carcinogens stated — again — that BHA is “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals.”<7>

Most additives have never been studied in combination with each other.

These preservatives are often used in the oils used in food products and are generally not included in the ingredient list.