FDA reopens public comment period on BHT in food, sets Aug. 31 deadline

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reopened a 30-day public comment period on its request for information about butylated hydroxytoluene, or BHT, in human food and as a food-contact substance. The agency posted the action July 29, 2026, and set Aug. 31, 2026, as the new deadline for comments, data and scientific information.

The FDA said stakeholders requested additional time to submit information. In its notice, the agency identifies BHT as an ingredient or food-contact substance used in products including breakfast cereals, frozen pizza, frozen meals, baking mixes, cookies, chewing gum and meat products.

Companies, researchers and members of the public may submit comments through Regulations.gov using docket FDA-2026-N-2526. The reopened period gives interested parties another opportunity to provide information as the agency reviews BHT’s use in food and food-contact applications.

The action is an information-gathering step, not an announced ban or final restriction. The FDA has not announced a final regulatory decision on BHT in the cited notice. The next known step is the close of the comment period on Aug. 31, after which the agency can consider the submissions as its review proceeds.