By Alanna Nuñez, Shape

4. BHA

Any processed food that has a long shelf life is often filled with butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), says dietitian Julie Upton.

“This is added to foods to prevent fats from spoiling,” she says.

Although it has GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status by the Food and Drug Administration, it’s been shown to cause cancer in animals, raising concerns among the healthy living community that the additive could be carcinogenic to humans as well.

Upton recommends minimizing the amount of oil-containing processed foods you eat because they’re bound to include BHA.

This excerpt is Part 4 of a list compiled by Alanna Nuñez, published in Shape Magazine. Photo by stephfoti/Flickr.

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