If you have any questions that are not answered below, please contact us and we will do our best to help you as quickly as possible.

What is Bitrex®?
Bitrex is recognised as the world's most bitter substance.  It is the registered trademark for the chemical substance, Denatonium Benzoate.  It is an odourless white solid of high purity.

What is the purpose of adding Bitrex?
A bitter taste is a natural warning to stop eating or drinking.  Tests with children and adults show that Bitrex reduces ingestion of potentially harmful products.

Is Bitrex 100% effective at stopping accidental poisonings?
No.  In the same way the Child Resistant Caps are not 100% effective, Bitrex helps reduce the likelihood of accidental poisonings by making it taste so unpleasant that you would spit it out.  There are a very small percentage of "bitter-blind" people that cannot taste it, so that it why we promote Bitrex as part of a 3 tier strategy to safety.

Will Bitrex make me vomit?
No. Bitrex is not an emetic, so it will not make you sick in the unlikely event of ingestion.

What type of products currently include Bitrex?
You will find a comprehensive list of products on our applications page

Why isn't bleach included on the applications list?
Unfortunately the make up of bleach means that it completely destroys Bitrex.

Can I buy Bitrex and add it to products in my home?
No. Bitrex is only sold to commercial organisations to add during production of products.

How can I ensure the products I buy contain Bitrex?
All products displaying the Bitrex logo have been independently tested to ensure the correct levels of Bitrex have been added to make it unpalatable.  If you don't see the logo, contact the Customer Service department for that retailer and ask them to add it. 

Does Bitrex affect the product's performance?
No.  Bitrex is added in tiny quantities and it only imparts a bitter taste.  It will not affect the effectiveness of the product or interfere with any usage of the product.

Will my dishes taste of Bitrex if it is in washing up liquid?
No. The levels Bitrex added to such products is so small (parts per million), that when it is diluted in a basin of water, it will not leave a residue on the plates etc

Does Bitrex work for humans and animals?
Yes.  at appropriate concentrations, Bitrex can be used to help prevent accidental poisonings in both humans and animals.  It can also be used as a training aid for animals.

Is Bitrex safe?
Bitrex has been used safely for 50 years in alcohol containing cosmetic products and is officially approved by BAFT, BGA, OSHA and USDA for several different applications.

Is Bitrex derived from vegetable or animal origins?
Bitrex is completely synthetic and does not contain any material of vegetable or animal origin

How are the Bitrex levels determined?
As a result of the numerous tests carried out to date, it has been shown that fragrance, the viscosity, the presence of solid phase and the existing taste are a few factors which play a major role in this respect.  The levels for individual products are determined as part of our technical service to brand users.