What Are BHA and Potassium Iodate? Explaining the Chemicals Keeping Filipino Imports Out of the US

In case you haven’t heard, popular Filipino food imports like banana ketchup, lechon sauce, and bagoong, can no longer enter the United States.

The reason for this? In October this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an alert for several food additives deemed unsafe. According to the alert, food products containing chemicals like potassium iodate and BHA were banned from entry into the United States.

It just so happens that popular brands of banana ketchup, lechon sauce, and bagoong contain these two chemicals. 

But what are BHA and potassium iodate, and why has the FDA taken such a strong measure against them? Read on to learn more:

What is BHA? Why is BHA banned in the United States?

BHA, which stands for Butylated Hydroxyanisole, is a preservative. It prevents fats and oils from oxidizing. 

This means that products with BHA have a longer shelf life and a reduced risk of spoilage. 

Which imported Filipino products contain BHA?

• Mother’s Best Hot All-Purpose Sauce (Sarsa Lechon Sauce)
• UFC Sweet Chili Sauce 
• UFC Sweet Filipino-Style Spaghetti Sauce
• Andok’s Litson Sauce (All Purpose Sauce) 
• Mother’s Best Kare Kare Stew Mix
• Jufran Sweet Chili Sauce

While BHA is included as a preservative in food, it’s also found in some types of rubber, plastic, and glue. Today, more than 4,600 foods contain BHA, according to the Environmental Working group. 

Since 1991, the National Toxicology Program has considered BHA as “human carcinogen,” which means it has been linked with cancer risk. Similarly, the chemical has been flagged by California’s Proposition 65 since 1990. Now, with alerts issued by the FDA, measures to protect Americans from consuming the chemical in food are rising to the national level.

What is potassium iodate? Why is potassium iodate banned in the United States?

Potassium iodate is commonly used as a dough strengthener in bread and rolls. It’s sometimes also added to table salt to prevent iodine deficiency.

Which imported Filipino products contain potassium iodate?

• UFC Sweet Chili Sauce
• UFC Banana Sauce
• Mang Tomas Sauce
• Jufran Sweet Chili Sauce
• Jufran Banana Sauce Hot & Spicy

In the Philippines, potassium iodate is legally required in certain food products. But according to DownToEarth, the chemical can lead to higher intake of iodine, which can potentially affect thyroid function.

While the amount of publicly available information on the risks of potassium iodate is scarce in comparison to that for BHA, preventing the consumption of potassium iodate has nonetheless become a priority for the FDA. 

Where can I find FDA-approved Filipino products?

Keep in mind that the FDA alert on these imports mainly affects imports, not domestic products. And besides, there are many American brands that produce banana ketchup which need to comply with FDA requirements. One of such brands is Fila Manila.

So, if you’re trying to find Filipino sauces in the United States, particularly Banana ketchup, you can find Fila Manila’s products online, and in large American retailers like Target and Walmart. 

Not only are these products fully compliant with FDA requirements, all ingredients used in making them are natural. Fila Manila’s banana ketchup, for example, is colored with natural ingredients — specifically, carrot and blackcurrant — to give the condiment a natural, fresh red hue. 

Learn more about Fila Manila’s whole product line here.