The craft beer movement in the United States has fueled a surge of creativity in brewing, but it’s important to know that the US has strict regulations about what can and cannot be included in food and beverages, including beer. Here are six ingredients that are banned in beer in the United States. Some may be familiar, while others might surprise you.
1. Thujone
Thujone is a chemical compound naturally found in plants like wormwood, which is famously linked to absinthe. Although absinthe made a legal comeback in the US with strict limits on thujone content, beers with high levels of thujone are still banned. Why? Because thujone is considered a neurotoxin at elevated levels, making it a risky ingredient in any consumable product, including beer.
2. Coumarin
Coumarin is a natural compound found in tonka beans and certain types of cinnamon, known for its sweet, vanilla-like aroma. Despite its appealing scent, coumarin is banned as a food additive in the US due to its potential to cause liver damage and other toxic effects in humans. Some European beers traditionally use coumarin-containing ingredients, but these are a no-go in the US.
3. Calamus
Calamus, also known as sweet flag, is a plant whose root has been used historically in traditional medicine and as a flavoring agent in alcoholic beverages. However, the FDA has banned calamus in food and beverages because studies have shown it to have carcinogenic properties in animals. So, no calamus in your beer—better safe than sorry!
4. Hemp or Cannabis-Derived Ingredients
Hemp and CBD have made their way into a variety of products, but when it comes to beer, cannabis-derived ingredients remain under tight regulation. THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, is banned at the national level in food and beverages, including beer. While some non-psychoactive hemp derivatives are allowed in certain states, any beer containing THC or unapproved cannabis extracts is currently illegal in the US. However, if cannabis ever becomes legal on a national level, this could change dramatically.
5. Bitter Orange Peel (with High Levels of Synephrine)
Bitter orange peel is often used in brewing for its distinctive flavor, especially in Belgian-style ales. But if the bitter orange peel contains high levels of synephrine—a compound similar to ephedrine, which is associated with illegal drug production—it could be banned. Synephrine can have stimulant effects on the body, making it a controversial ingredient.
6. Certain Preservatives
Some preservatives that are commonly used in food and beverages outside the US are banned in American beer. For instance, sodium benzoate and potassium bromate are restricted due to potential health risks, including cancer and DNA damage. No one wants these risks in their brew, so these preservatives are off the table for beer production in the US.
