Tag: E319

Used to prevent fat oxidation and extend shelf life, the food additive E319 is a synthetic antioxidant known by its chemical name, Tertiary-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ). It is not a natural substance but a chemically manufactured compound derived from petroleum components.

While classified as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) by the FDA, some studies on antioxidant E319, also known as Tertiary Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), have raised concerns regarding potential health risks, especially at high doses. The possible side effects of antioxidant E319 are a subject of ongoing debate, involving everything from immediate symptoms like nausea to potential long-term implications for immune function and cell health.

Over 50 years of use as a synthetic antioxidant has made tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) a common food additive for processed foods containing fats and oils. In sunflower oil, it is added to prevent oxidation, extend shelf life, and maintain its fresh flavor.

Despite being a common ingredient in many processed foods, tert-butylhydroquinone, or TBHQ, is a completely synthetic compound and not derived from natural sources. It is a man-made preservative created to prevent the oxidation of fats and oils, thereby extending the shelf life of products.

Many Indomie noodle varieties explicitly list TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone) as an ingredient in the refined palm oil used to create the noodles. This synthetic antioxidant is added to prevent oils from spoiling and to extend the product's shelf life. While regulatory bodies approve its use within strict limits, its presence has sparked widespread public curiosity and health debates, prompting a closer look into what this additive is and its safety profile.

According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone) is authorized as a food additive with an acceptable daily intake of 0.7 mg/kg body weight. This synthetic antioxidant, also known as TBHQ ins319, is a crucial ingredient for extending the shelf life of processed foods.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the synthetic food additive tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) has been evaluated and deemed safe for human consumption within strictly defined limits. So, is TBHQ artificial, or is it a naturally occurring compound? The answer is that TBHQ is entirely artificial, and understanding its origins and applications is key to making informed dietary choices.