Sazerac says its Fireball Whisky is safe

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Sazerac Co. Inc.

New Orleans-based Sazerac Co. Inc. says its Fireball Whisky is perfectly safe to drink despite a recall in Europe.

David A. Mann

Reporter- Louisville Business First

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New Orleans-based Sazerac Co. Inc. says its Fireball Whisky is perfectly safe to drink despite a recall in Europe.

The recall comes after a European bottler contacted the company about Fireball, a flavored whiskey, containing propylene glycol, which is used in antifreeze.

In a news release, the company said there is no recall in North America. Propylene glycol is used regularly in the United States for flavoring. It has been used in more than 4,000 food, beverage, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products for more than 50 years, the release said.

Most people consume propylene glycol every day in soft drinks, sweeteners, some foods and alcoholic beverages, the release said. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says as much as 50 grams of propylene glycol can be used per kilogram. The release goes on to say that Fireball contains substantially less than that.

But the regulations are different in Europe, and Sazerac sells a slightly different Fireball formula there. The problem arose after a North American formulation of Fireball made its way to shelves in Europe. And Finland, Sweden and Norway asked the company to recall those batches. Sazerac agreed to do so.

Sazerac has several operations in Kentucky, including in Louisville, Frankfort, Bardstown and Owensboro.

David A. Mann covers these beats: Health care, health insurance, distribution/logistics (UPS), manufacturing (GE, Ford), environment, travel, minority/women’s affairs and Southern Indiana.