Research on the effectiveness of denatonium benzoate as a deterrent to liquid detergent ingestion by children

Abstract

Research was conducted among young children to determine whether or not the bitter tasting substance denatonium benzoate added to liquid detergents would effectively reduce the risk that large quantities of such products might be ingested. The research design involved essentially no risk to the young subjects and was approved by an Institutional Review Board prior to initiation. The value of an effective deterrent material is apparent based on the number of reported ingestions of detergent products each year. Denatonium benzoate was chosen as a potential deterrent based on its existing uses in alcohol as a denaturant and in thumb-sucking and nail-biting deterrent products. In the present research, 108 children ranging in age from 18 to 47 months were offered a drink of either a dilute soapy tasting solution or that same solution with denatonium benzoate added. The results showed that for the liquid containing denatonium benzoate, significantly less liquid was ingested, significantly fewer subjects accepted a second taste, and significantly more subjects displayed behavior indicating immediate and intense aversion to the taste of denatonium benzoate. The data indicate that the addition of denatonium benzoate to a liquid detergent would be expected to significantly reduce, but most likely not eliminate, the probability of an accidental ingestion involving multiple swallows by a young child.