Understanding Antioxidant Testing

Antioxidants are essential compounds that prevent the oxidation of fats and oils in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products. However, when synthetic antioxidants such as Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) exceed regulatory limits, they may pose health and safety concerns.

Our ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory provides antioxidant testing services in full compliance with GSO, FDA, and EFSA standards, ensuring that your products maintain quality, safety, and label accuracy.

Common Synthetic Antioxidants Tested:

• BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
• BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
• TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone)
• Ethoxyquin

1. Importance of Antioxidant Testing

Free radicals generated during processing, storage, or metabolic reactions can cause oxidative stress, degrading food quality and reducing shelf life. Antioxidants are added to delay rancidity — but excessive or undeclared amounts may violate food safety laws.

Testing is essential to:

• Verify antioxidant concentration for labeling and compliance.


• Ensure consumer safety by detecting over-limit additives.


• Monitor product stability under heat and storage conditions.


• Identify oxidation by-products that affect taste, odor, and color.

Global regulatory limits for BHA and BHT typically range from 50–200 ppm, depending on product type (per FDA, EFSA, and FSSAI).

2. Common Antioxidants and Their Applications

• A. Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)
• A phenolic antioxidant derived from 4-methoxy-2-tert-butylphenol.
• Effective in preventing oxidation of fats and oils in foods.
• Commonly used in snack foods, butter, meat products, and cosmetics.
• Lipid-soluble, making it ideal for protecting fat-containing products.
• B. Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)
• Structurally similar to BHA; derived from p-cresol.
• Provides strong oxidative stability for vegetable oils, margarine, chewing gum, and pharmaceuticals.
• Lipid-soluble and effective at low concentrations.

Both BHA and BHT are synthetic phenolic antioxidants widely used for food preservation — but must stay within permissible safety limits defined by international regulatory agencies.

3. Regulatory Framework for Antioxidant Use

Antioxidant use in foods and consumer products is regulated under various international standards.

Applicable references include:

• FDA – Title 21 CFR (Parts 172.110, 172.115)


• EFSA – Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008


• FSSAI – Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards & Food Additives) Regulations


• GSO 2500/2015 – Additives Permitted for Use in Foodstuffs


• ISO Standards:


• ISO 6885 – Determination of the Peroxide Value in Oils and Fats
• ISO 17224 – Determination of Synthetic Antioxidants in Oils and Fats

Our laboratory’s testing reports are aligned with these regulatory frameworks and recognized by Qatar’s MoPH for compliance and import verification.

4. Laboratory Methods for Antioxidant Detection

Accurate antioxidant testing requires instrument-based quantification to identify trace levels of compounds such as BHA, BHT, and TBHQ in various matrices (oils, snacks, dairy, cosmetics).

Analytical Techniques:

• Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS):
  Detects and quantifies volatile antioxidants and their degradation compounds.


• High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC):
  Separates and measures antioxidants in complex food and oil samples.

Quality Assurance Measures:

• Calibration with Standard Reference Materials (SRMs)


• Results expressed in mg/kg (ppm) or % w/w


• Use of method blanks, replicates, and control samples for precision
• Validation following AOAC Official Methods and ISO Guidelines

5. Applications of Antioxidant Testing

Our antioxidant testing services are applicable across multiple industries:

• Food & Beverage Manufacturers — snack foods, edible oils, butter, margarine


• Cosmetic Producers — lotions, creams, and personal care formulations


• Pharmaceuticals — antioxidant additives in drug formulations


• Animal Feed Manufacturers — stability monitoring of fats and oils


• Quality Control Labs & R&D Divisions — stability and product shelf-life studies

6. Why Antioxidant Testing Matters

Accurate BHA/BHT analysis ensures product safety, consumer trust, and legal compliance.

Key Benefits:

• Prevents regulatory non-compliance and import rejections


• Detects overuse or unauthorized antioxidants


• Enhances shelf-life assurance through verified stability


• Ensures truthful labeling and MoPH approval


• Supports GSO and Codex Alimentarius compliance

7. Example Analytical Parameters

8. Why Choose METS Laboratories, QATAR

• ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited Facility for chemical and antioxidant analysis


• Recognized by Qatar MoPH and GSO for compliance testing


• Advanced Instrumentation: GC-MS/MS, HPLC, UV-Vis Spectrophotometry


• Fast, Reliable Reporting with traceable digital documentation


• Technical Expertise in Codex, FDA, and GSO regulatory frameworks

Ensuring Safe and Compliant Use of Antioxidants

At METS Laboratories, QATAR, we help food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries maintain safety, shelf stability, and market compliance. Our antioxidant testing services ensure your products meet Qatar MoPH and GSO standards — protecting both your consumers and your brand reputation.