Opinions on BHA and BHT

I just got some off-brand frosted flakes today and as I was reading the ingredients it said BHT was added to preserve freshness. I didn't notice this at the store. So I looked it up and it said, "the same chemical properties which make BHA and BHT excellent preservatives may also be implicated in health effects. The oxidative characteristics and/or metabolites of BHA and BHT may contribute to carcinogenicity or tumorigenicity; however the same reactions may combat oxidative stress." http://chemistry.about.com/od/foodco...servatives.htm

So I'm thinking about throwing them away because that just makes me nervous but at the same time I don't want to just throw away a brand new thing of cereal (I also don't want to eat cancer cereal). So I just wanted people's opinions on BHT and BHA. Obviously in the future I will avoid this additive.

Thanks,
CRH

Never heard of them before to be honest but if they're in a commercial food product then they've at least been proven quite reasonably safe for human consumption. I'd just finish what you've got then not buy them again if you're worried about it. You won't get ill from one box containing an approved additive, though people may doubt the judgement of the FDA they wouldn't be that careless.

That's a good point. Thanks for easing my mind :-)

I've never heard of it either, I think it's banned in the UK. I did read quite a few people complaining about it being in pet food though.

I'd probably do as Risker says eat the stuff you've got then don't buy anymore. Saying that, knowing me, I'd probably get so freaked out when eating it I'd end up throwing it away.

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they've at least been proven quite reasonably safe for human consumption

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Just like these animal products? ;-]

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Korn

Just like these animal products? ;-]

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Probably.

All I'm saying is that one packet isn't going to kill anyone.

I know. I thought about that after I posted my response lol