butylated hydroxyanisole

[ hahy-drok-see-an-uh-sohl ]

noun

1. Chemistry, Pharmacology. BHA.

Word History and Origins

Origin of butylated hydroxyanisole¹

First recorded in 1945–50; hydroxy- + anisole

Example Sentences

Butylated hydroxyanisole is a synthetic food antioxidant, while dipotassium phosphate is a water-soluble compound used in both foods and fertilizers.

From Seattle Times

The extensive collection of permissible additives includes several known or suspected carcinogens, such as synthetic sodium nitrate, found in processed meats and considered probably carcinogenic by the World Health Organization, and butylated hydroxyanisole, also known as BHA, a chemical listed as a cancer-causing chemical by the state of Californiaand found in commonplace items like frozen pepperoni pizza.

From Salon

Even a magnifying glass was little help in explaining those obscure polysyllables: propylene glycol, calcium silicate, butylated hydroxyanisole, sorbitan monostearate, methylparaben.

From Time Magazine Archive