Food grade 200 proof ethanol is undenatured ethyl alcohol with a water content under 0.5 percent that also meets the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) standard for ethyl alcohol and ships with the paperwork a food manufacturer needs to prove it. “200 proof” describes strength; “food grade” describes purity testing and documentation. You need both to be true, and you need to be able to show both on a certificate.
What does “food grade” actually certify?
There is no single legal stamp called “food grade ethanol.” In practice, the phrase means the alcohol conforms to the FCC monograph for ethyl alcohol, the industry reference for food ingredients. Federal food regulations point to that standard: the FDA’s GRAS listing for ethyl alcohol at 21 CFR 184.1293 requires the ingredient to meet the FCC specification and lists the conditions under which it is affirmed. Your own food-safety plan and your customers’ audits then decide which additional documents you need.
Food grade is not a strength claim. A 190 proof product can be food grade, and a 200 proof product can fail to be. For the definitions of proof, percent by volume and percent by weight, see our guide to what ethanol purity actually means.
How does food grade 200 proof differ from other grades?
| Grade | Governing standard | Denatured? | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food grade (FCC) | Food Chemicals Codex ethyl alcohol monograph | No | Flavor extracts, tinctures, food processing, ingredient carriers |
| USP grade | United States Pharmacopeia monograph | No | Pharmaceutical and personal-care applications |
| Reagent alcohol | Formulated denatured mixture (27 CFR 20.117) | Yes | Laboratory work, not food |
| SDA / CDA denatured | 27 CFR Part 21 formulas | Yes | Industrial, cosmetic and solvent uses, not food |
The dividing line for food use is denaturing. Denatured alcohol, including SDA 40-B and the CDA formulas defined in 27 CFR Part 21, contains additives that make it unfit to drink, so it cannot go into food. If the finished product will be eaten, the alcohol must be undenatured.
What documentation should come with each lot?
A buyer in food manufacturing should expect to ask for the following, and should confirm what a supplier can provide before ordering:
- Certificate of analysis (COA): lot-specific ethanol assay and water content, tied to the FCC standard.
- Safety data sheet (SDS): hazard, handling and storage information for a flammable liquid.
- Origin and feedstock statement: what the alcohol was made from. Ours is fermented from 100% Michigan corn.
- Allergen and certification statements: whatever your food-safety plan, kosher program or retail customer requires. These are requested per customer, so ask early.
- Lot traceability: a lot number on the container that matches the COA.
The COA is the document auditors read first, so make sure it reports the water content, not just “200 proof.” The reasons water matters are covered in our dilution guide: a small amount of absorbed moisture moves the proof measurably.
Why does the “200 proof” part matter to a food buyer?
Processors choose 200 proof, meaning under 0.5 percent water, when the water in the extract carrier would dilute a flavor, thin a concentrate or cause haze when oils are added. Others do better with 190 proof, which is about 5 percent water and is the traditional strength for many extractions. Either can be produced to food-grade standards, so pick the strength for the process and the grade for the documentation. Our 190 versus 200 proof comparison walks through that choice.
What do regulators require to buy it?
Undenatured alcohol is distilled spirits as far as the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is concerned. The federal excise tax on distilled spirits is $13.50 per proof gallon at the standard rate, with reduced rates for small producers under the Craft Beverage Modernization Act. Whether tax applies to your purchase, and what permits you need, depends on the end use and your TTB status, so confirm before you order. Denatured alcohol avoids beverage tax because it is unfit to drink, which is exactly why it is not an option for food. For beverage-spirit buyers, the neighboring grade is covered in our post on 192 proof beverage-grade ethanol.
How to specify a food grade order
State four things in your purchase request: the strength (190 or 200 proof), the standard (FCC), undenatured, and the documents you need per lot. Add container size and delivery location. Our 200 proof ethanol page lists what we produce, and every gallon is distilled and handled in 100% stainless steel at our Marysville, Michigan plant.
Frequently asked questions
Is food grade ethanol the same as USP ethanol?
Not exactly. Food grade normally means the alcohol meets the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) monograph, while USP grade means it meets the United States Pharmacopeia monograph. The two overlap heavily for ethyl alcohol, but they are separate standards with separate tests, so specify the one your customer or auditor names.
Can food grade 200 proof ethanol be denatured?
No. Denatured alcohol has additives that make it unfit to drink, so it is not a food ingredient. Food-grade ethanol is sold undenatured, which is why federal alcohol rules apply to its purchase and use.
What does 200 proof mean for a food grade product?
200 proof means about 100 percent alcohol by volume in name, and in practice a water content under 0.5 percent. Food grade describes quality and documentation, not strength, so a 190 proof product can also be food grade.
What documents should I request with each lot?
Ask for a certificate of analysis showing the ethanol assay and water content against the FCC standard, a safety data sheet, and the allergen and origin statements your own food-safety plan requires. Ask your supplier which of these it can provide before you place an order.
Do I need a TTB permit to buy it?
It depends on the end use and your status with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. Undenatured alcohol is regulated as distilled spirits, so confirm your requirements with TTB before ordering.
Ready to specify a lot? Request a quote or visit our contact page and tell us the strength, grade and documents you need.