E-code guide
E321Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
DoubtfulAntioxidant
E321

Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)

Antioxidant

JAKIM Handbook 2010 and MUIS classify as doubtful; SANHA classifies as halal.
Based on 3 cited authorities. Confidence: medium.

What authorities say

3 authorities on record
2say Doubtful1says Halal

Why this verdict

E321 is butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), a synthetic antioxidant that protects fats and oils in cereals, snack foods, and chewing gum. SANHA classifies E321 as Halaal. JAKIM Handbook 2010 classifies E321 as Mushbooh, halal when only vegetable oil is used as the carrier but haram when the carrier is pork fat, and notes it is not sold as a pure chemical. MUIS marks E321 as syubhah, noting it is prepared from p-cresol and isobutylene. Because the carrier is rarely disclosed on the label, E321 is doubtful by default.

Common questions

Is E321 halal?

Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) (E321) is classified doubtful. JAKIM Handbook 2010 and MUIS classify it as doubtful; SANHA classifies it as halal.

What is E321 made from?

Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) (E321) is produced synthetically.

Last reviewed by the HalalHQ research team in June 2026.