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Diethyl Pyrocarbonate
Level 5 — High concernIn Winter's Dictionary
Diethyl Pyrocarbonate is a preservative — Fermentation inhibitor
Also: DEP
What it does
Fermentation inhibitor
Where you'll see it
Formerly still wines, beer, orange juice
What the research says
Reacted with ammonia in beverages to form urethane, a cancer-causing additive identified since 1943.
Regulatory status
- US FDA: BAN
- Notes: FDA banned use in 1976
Sources
- A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives (Winter): it reacted with the ammonia in beverages to form urethane, according to University of Stockholm researchers