Table 1.
Summary of allowable limits for ethyl carbamate in beverages.
| Beverage | Typical ethanol concentrationa | Allowable limit, µg/kg (Country/region) | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit brandyb | 40% | 400 (Canada and Czech Republic); 800 (Germany); 1,000 (France); 1,000 (European Unionc) | European Food Safety Authority (2007); European Commission (2016); Health Canada (2020) |
| Sake | 15–20% | 200 (Canada) | Health Canada (2020) |
| Distilled spiritsd | 40% | 125 (USe); 150 (Canada, Czech Republic, and France); 210 (Brazil) | Brazil Ministry of Agriculture (2014); Health Canada (2020); European Food Safety Authority (2007); US Federal Register (1990) |
| Fortified wines | 19–21% | 60 (USf); 100 (Canada) | US Federal Register (1990); Health Canada (2020) |
| Wine | 12% | 15 (USf); 30 (Canada and Czech Republic) | US Federal Register (1990); Health Canada (2020); European Food Safety Authority (2007) |
Bujake (1992); Tredoux and Ferreira (2012); Kwon et al. (2014); National Institutes of Health. “What Is A Standard Drink?” Available at: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/overview-alcohol-consumption/what-standard-drink. Accessed 26 MAR 2021.
Referred to in the European Commission document as spirits made with stone fruit or grapes. Referred to in other documents as liqueurs or distillates.
This value has been designated as a target recommendation by the European Commission.
Only whiskey is referred to in allowable limits for the US.
Voluntary limits made in an agreement with the FDA and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS).
Voluntary limits made in an agreement with the FDA and the Wine Institute (WI) and American Association of Vintners (AAV).