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Food & Cooking

what is food grade alcohol

By A to Z Alcohol Editorial TeamPublished May 12, 2023Updated Nov 4, 20261 min read
Quick answer

Food grade alcohol is ethyl alcohol (ethanol) that meets the Food Chemicals Codex specifications FDA regulations point to for ethanol used in food. We found no official FDA page that defines the term "food grade alcohol" itself.

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In this article
  1. What the FDA rule says
  2. What it is affirmed for
  3. What this means in practice

What the FDA rule says

21 CFR 184.1293 covers ethyl alcohol as a direct food ingredient. It identifies ethyl alcohol (ethanol) as the chemical C2H5OH and requires that it meet the specifications of the Food Chemicals Codex, 4th edition (1996), which the rule incorporates by reference.

What it is affirmed for

The regulation affirms ethanol as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for one named use: an antimicrobial agent on pizza crusts before final baking, at no more than 2.0 percent by product weight. The rule states it was issued before a general evaluation of the ingredient, so it covers only that use.

What this means in practice

  • "Food grade" points to purity and quality specifications, not strength.
  • It is the same chemical as the alcohol in drinks.
  • We did not research how drinking alcohol is taxed or licensed, and this page is not legal advice.

To learn how strong a drink is, see our standard drink calculator.

People also ask

What is food grade alcohol?

Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) that meets the Food Chemicals Codex specifications referenced in 21 CFR 184.1293.

Is food grade alcohol the same as drinking alcohol?

It is the same chemical, ethanol. We found no official source defining the term beyond the Food Chemicals Codex reference, so do not assume a product is made or sold for drinking.

Is ethanol approved in food?

FDA affirms ethanol as GRAS as an antimicrobial agent on pizza crusts before baking, up to 2.0 percent by product weight, under 21 CFR 184.1293.

General information only, not medical or legal advice. If you have a health condition, take medicines or are pregnant, ask your doctor before drinking alcohol. Never drink and drive.

Sources

  1. Cornell LII: 21 CFR 184.1293 Ethyl alcohol, read 4 Nov 2026
Written by A to Z Alcohol Editorial Team · Published May 12, 2023 · Updated Nov 4, 2026
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