What is TBHQ?
TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) is a synthetic antioxidant widely used in the food industry to prevent the oxidative rancidity of fats and oils. It is a white to light tan crystalline powder that is highly effective even at very low usage levels, making it one of the most efficient and cost-effective antioxidants approved for food use. TBHQ works by interrupting the free-radical chain reaction responsible for lipid oxidation, significantly extending the shelf life of fat-containing food products.
Polychem Industries supplies Food Grade TBHQ (E319) to edible oil refiners, snack food manufacturers, packaged food companies, and animal feed producers across India and internationally. Its exceptional stability at high processing temperatures and effectiveness at low dosage make it the preferred antioxidant choice across the food processing industry.
Available Grades
| Grade | Form | Purity | Standard | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Grade | White to light tan crystalline powder | 99%+ (Food Grade) | FSSAI / FCC / E319 | Edible oils, fats, snacks, packaged foods, animal feed |
Applications & Uses
Edible Oils & Fats
The primary application. TBHQ is added to vegetable oils, animal fats, and shortenings to prevent oxidative rancidity, extending shelf life and preserving flavour, colour, and nutritional quality during storage and transport.
Snack Foods & Fried Products
Used in potato chips, crackers, fried snacks, and other fat-containing snack products to prevent the oils used in frying or coating from becoming rancid, maintaining product freshness on retail shelves.
Packaged & Processed Foods
Added to a wide range of packaged foods containing fats and oils including baked goods, instant noodles, and ready-to-eat meals, helping maintain product quality throughout extended shelf life requirements.
Animal Feed & Pet Food
Used as an antioxidant in animal feed and pet food formulations containing fats and oils, preventing rancidity that can affect palatability, nutritional value, and shelf stability of feed products.
Margarine & Spreads
Used in margarine, butter substitutes, and fat-based spreads to maintain freshness and prevent off-flavours from developing due to fat oxidation during the product shelf life.
Nuts & Seeds Processing
Applied to nuts, seeds, and nut-based products which have high oil content and are prone to rancidity, helping preserve flavour and extend shelf life of these naturally oil-rich foods.
Technical Specifications
TBHQ — Key Properties
Why Source TBHQ from Polychem Industries?
- Food Grade (E319) compliant with FSSAI for all food applications
- Certificate of Analysis available on request
- Effective at very low dosage — cost-efficient for manufacturers
- Excellent heat stability for high-temperature frying applications
- Reliable bulk supply for edible oil and snack food manufacturers
- Export documentation experience for international shipments
