Does Cheerios Have BHT and BHA? An Ingredient Deep Dive

December 25, 2025 •

4 min read

In 2015, General Mills announced it would remove the synthetic preservative BHT from its US cereals, including Original Cheerios, in response to consumer demand. So, does Cheerios have BHT and BHA today? The simple answer is no, for most modern, U.S. market varieties, but the full story explains a shift towards natural alternatives.

Quick Summary

General Mills removed the synthetic preservative BHT from its U.S. cereals, including Original Cheerios, beginning in 2015, opting instead for vitamin E. BHA was generally not included. The move was a response to consumer concerns about chemical additives in food.

Key Points

No BHT in U.S. Cheerios: General Mills officially removed the synthetic preservative BHT from its US cereals, including Original Cheerios, beginning in 2015.
No BHA Found: Modern US Cheerios products generally do not contain BHA either, though it was less commonly used in cereal than BHT.
Natural Preservative Used: To maintain freshness, General Mills replaced BHT with vitamin E (mixed tocopherols), a naturally sourced antioxidant.
Consumer Demand Led to Change: The reformulation was driven by consumer preference for cleaner labels and concern over synthetic food additives.
Check Labels: While most modern US Cheerios are BHT-free, consumers should always check the ingredient list, as formulations can vary by product line, region, and over time.
Look for Vitamin E: Finding "mixed tocopherols" or "vitamin E" on the ingredient list indicates the product uses the natural alternative.

A Preservative Shift: The End of BHT in U.S. Cheerios

For many years, the synthetic antioxidants butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) were common food additives used to prevent oils and fats from going rancid, thereby extending a product's shelf life. However, growing consumer scrutiny over food additives and concerns raised by various organizations prompted a major shift for many food manufacturers, including General Mills.

In early 2015, following a highly publicized petition and broader consumer trends favoring 'clean label' products, General Mills made a significant public commitment. The company declared that it was well underway with plans to remove BHT from its U.S. cereal lineup, not due to safety issues, but to better align with consumer preferences. For its iconic Cheerios brand, this meant replacing BHT with a naturally sourced alternative: vitamin E, specifically mixed tocopherols. This change has been reflected on ingredient lists for years, confirming that modern US-produced Cheerios do not contain BHT or BHA.

What are BHT and BHA and why the concern?

BHT and BHA function as antioxidants, preventing fats in processed foods like cereal from spoiling. While the FDA has long categorized them as "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS) at low levels, some studies, primarily involving high doses in animals, have linked them to potential health risks. Concerns raised by groups like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) pointed to associations with endocrine disruption, organ-system toxicity, and potential carcinogenicity, particularly with BHA. This public conversation and the push for cleaner ingredient lists ultimately influenced General Mills' decision to reformulate.

The Ingredients of Modern Cheerios

Today, if you pick up a box of standard Original Cheerios in the United States, you will not find BHT or BHA on the ingredient label. Instead, the list includes whole grain oats, corn starch, sugar, salt, and tripotassium phosphate, with vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) added to preserve freshness. This mirrors a wider industry trend of substituting synthetic preservatives with natural alternatives.

Comparison Table: Preservatives in Cereal


Feature	BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)	Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E)
Source	Synthetic	Natural (typically from vegetable oils)
Function	Antioxidant; extends shelf life by preventing rancidity	Antioxidant; prevents spoilage and preserves freshness
Regulatory Status	Approved for use at specific levels by the FDA	Approved for use as a preservative; recognized for nutritional value
Consumer Perception	Viewed as a chemical additive, often avoided by "clean label" shoppers	Generally seen as a natural, more desirable ingredient
Used in Cheerios?	No longer used in most modern U.S. formulations	Used in modern U.S. Cheerios to preserve freshness

Natural Alternatives and Their Impact

The move away from synthetic additives like BHT and BHA has led to wider adoption of natural alternatives across the food industry. Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) is a primary example, but other natural options are also available. This includes rosemary extract, which also acts as an antioxidant and is used in various products.

Common natural preservative alternatives include:

Rosemary Extract: An antioxidant derived from the rosemary herb, used to stabilize oils and extend freshness.
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C): A natural antioxidant that slows down oxidation and ripening processes.
Improved Packaging: Modern packaging techniques, such as vacuum sealing and modified atmosphere packaging, reduce oxygen exposure, thereby mitigating the need for synthetic antioxidants.

The shift in Cheerios' formulation reflects not only consumer demands but also a broader industry-wide movement toward more transparent and recognizable ingredients. This has resulted in a market where shoppers can more easily find products that align with their ingredient preferences.

Staying Informed as a Consumer

While General Mills has been transparent about its ingredient changes, it is always wise for consumers to check the ingredient list on any product packaging. Ingredient formulations can vary by market (e.g., U.S. vs. international products) and may also differ slightly between different flavors or varieties of Cheerios (e.g., Original vs. Chocolate Cheerios). Looking for key terms like "vitamin E (mixed tocopherols)" on the label can confirm the absence of synthetic preservatives like BHT.

For additional context on the company's decision, an article published by the American Chemical Society in 2015 details General Mills' move to remove BHT.

Conclusion

Today, the question "Does Cheerios have BHT and BHA?" has a clear answer: no, for the most popular U.S. varieties. Prompted by consumer pressure and market trends toward cleaner labels, General Mills phased out BHT and switched to vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) for freshness. This decision highlights the powerful impact of consumer advocacy and the food industry's ongoing evolution towards more natural ingredient sourcing and transparent labeling. For shoppers concerned about these additives, reading the label is the most reliable way to ensure a BHT- and BHA-free choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most modern U.S. varieties, including Original, Honey Nut, and Multi Grain Cheerios, are BHT-free. General Mills began removing the preservative from its entire cereal line in 2015.

Cheerios are now preserved using vitamin E (mixed tocopherols), a naturally sourced antioxidant that prevents rancidity and preserves freshness.

No, some older formulations of Cheerios and other General Mills cereals, including some flavored varieties, did contain BHT prior to the company's 2015 reformulation.

BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) and BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) are synthetic antioxidants used to prevent fats and oils in processed foods from oxidizing and spoiling.

The FDA has categorized BHT and BHA as "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS) at low levels. However, some studies, mainly involving high doses in animals, have raised health concerns.

No, organic Cheerios formulations do not contain synthetic preservatives like BHT or BHA. They typically rely on natural antioxidants like tocopherols.

The ingredient formulation can vary by country. For example, some Nestlé-produced Cheerios in other markets may have different ingredients, so it is best to check the local product's ingredient list.