Canada Allows TBHQ Antioxidant as Food Stabilizer

Eastman Chemical Co. (Kingsport, TN) has announced that the Canadian Government has issued a regulation permitting the use of food-grade tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) as an antioxidant to stabilize various edible oils and fats against oxidative deterioration, allowing an extended storage life. Currently 30 countries use TBHQ.

Tenox TBHQ offers several other important characteristics to antioxidant users besides its effective performance in highly unsaturated oils and fats. Laboratory and commercial trials indicate that the product produces no discernable odor or flavor, has good solubility in food fats and oils, and can be combines with other antioxidants to produce highly effective antioxidant formulations.

Mexico and the United States regulate the use of TBHQ for human consumption at concentrations up to 0.02% by weight of the fat or oil content of the food. In Canada, TBHQ can be used in fats and oils, lard, and shortening at concentrations up to 0.02%. TBHQ is allowed alone or in combination with butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and/or propyl gallate.