What common household cooking product can lead to significant ethanol intoxication which may require hospitalization when ingested?
Pure vanilla extract. According to the FDA standard, natural vanilla extract must contain a minimum of 35% ethanol by volume.
Ingestion of 1.3mL/kg of pure vanilla extract in a child will result in a blood ethanol concentration of 100 mg/dL assuming instantaneous and complete absorption.
Johnson-Arbor K, Smolinske S. Stoned on spices: a mini-review of three commonly abused household spices. Clinical Toxicology. 2021;59(2):101-105.
Submitted by: Denise Lamm, PharmD & Jennifer Splawski, PharmD, MS, BCPS on behalf of Acute and Intensive Care Section
Posted in Question Of The Day