YenzoWhat is E319 (tertiary-butyl hydroquinone)?
It is tertiary-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ), a synthetic antioxidant. Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT lists E319 as an antioxidant.
E319Tertiary-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ)
E319 is tertiary-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), a synthetic antioxidant. In food it helps oils, fats and fried foods stay fresh for longer, for example cooking oil, snacks and instant noodles.
- Code
- E319 · INS 319
- Group
- Antioxidant
In Vietnam✓ PermittedOn the list of permitted additives — Circular 24/2019, Appendix 1
Risk level on the Yenzo Scalelow?Based on JECFA's evaluation
How E319 appears on labels
IngredientsIllustrative example
Wheat flour, vegetable oil, salt, sugar, antioxidant (319), dried onion and garlic, pepper, natural colour (160a).
antioxidant (319)antioxidant 319E319INS 319On Vietnamese labels: Tert-butylhydroquinon (TBHQ)
Tertiary-butyl hydroquinone in food
Oils, fats, spreadsEdible ices, fruit icesConfectioneryNoodles, pasta, cerealsBaked goodsProcessed meatSeasonings, soup cubes, saucesMilk, cheese, cream
Questions about tertiary-butyl hydroquinone
Is TBHQ harmful?
According to EFSA, E319 has an ADI of 0.7 mg/kg body weight, established by JECFA in 1998 and confirmed by EFSA in 2004. In its 2016 statement on exposure, EFSA concluded that at the maximum permitted levels exposure exceeds the ADI for toddlers and children at the high level, whereas in the refined scenarios based on actual use levels and analytical data the ADI was not exceeded in any population group.
Is INS 319 permitted in Vietnam?
Yes. Tertiary butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) (INS 319) is listed in Appendix 1 of Circular 24/2019/TT-BYT, the list of additives permitted in food, with the function antioxidant.
Can children and pregnant women have E319?
The 2016 EFSA statement recalls the 2004 finding that if E 319 were used in infant formulae, exposure in infants could exceed the ADI. At the maximum permitted levels EFSA calculated that exposure of high-level consumers exceeds the ADI of 0.7 mg/kg body weight a day for toddlers and children; in the refined scenarios (based on actual use levels and analytical data) the ADI was not exceeded in any population group. The summary does not mention pregnant women separately. If you have a particular health condition, ask a doctor.
Other antioxidants
E315Erythorbic acidvery lowE316Sodium erythorbatevery lowE320Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)moderateE321Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)lowE322Lecithinsvery lowE325Sodium lactatevery low
See all antioxidants →Found in these products
Updated 21 October 2026