Objective:

To present the status of the information on the consumption of synthetic antioxidants in ultra-processed foods in Mexico, depending on the products of the basic basket.

Methodology:

The foods available packaged or canned, that comprise the basic Mexican basket, from convenience stores and miscellaneous representative of the 125 municipalities of the state of Mexico were selected. The information on the content and concentration of synthetic antioxidants was recorded (AS) butylhydroxyanisole (BHA), butylhydroxytoluene (BHT) and tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), subsequently the foods were classified under the NOVA system.

Results:

53 food products derived from the basic Mexican basket were found that are marketed packaged or canned, 71% mentioned the type of antioxidant used and only 18% the concentration. According to the NOVA classification, more than 73% of the foods belong to classification 4 of ultra-processed products, of which only 11 report the synthetic antioxidant used, none mention the concentration.

Limitations:

There is no information on the content and concentration of the antioxidant used on the Nutrition Facts label.

Conclusions:

Only 18% of the analyzed products report the concentration of the synthetic antioxidant used, consequently the acceptable daily intake can be underestimated. More research is needed on dietary exposure to AS in Mexicans.

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