{"hq_id":"hq-p-fod-000025","name":"Beer, Wine, and Distilled Spirits","category":{"primary":"food_contact","secondary":"","tags":[]},"product_tier":"FOD","overall_risk_level":"high","description":"Alcohol is carcinogenic. Unlike tobacco — where carcinogenicity is broadly understood — alcohol is normalized as part of adult social life.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate","synthesis_confidence":0.637,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_child","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1.173,"vulnerability_escalated":true,"escalation_reason":"Child exposure group","compounds_resolved":7,"compounds_total":7,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"critical_concern":"Alcohol is the most socially normalized IARC Group 1 carcinogen in the world. Ethanol causes 7 cancers. Acetaldehyde (IARC Group 1) is both a direct constituent and primary metabolite. WHO 2023 stated: no safe level for cancer. US Surgeon General 2025 identified alcohol as 3rd leading preventable cancer death cause. Yet no cancer warning labels on US alcohol products (unlike tobacco).","key_hazards":["Ethanol IARC Group 1 (oral, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, colorectal, breast cancer)","Acetaldehyde IARC Group 1 (fermentation byproduct + ethanol metabolite; dual mechanism)","WHO 2023: no safe level for cancer","ALDH2 deficiency (36% East Asian): 10–30× acetaldehyde burden","No cancer warning labels (unlike tobacco)"],"overall_risk":"high","primary_concerns":[],"sensitive_populations":"","exposure_routes":""},"exposure":{"routes":["dermal"],"contact_types":["oral_indirect","ingestion"],"users":["adult","child","pregnant"],"duration":"minutes","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["Incidental mouthing or hand-to-mouth transfer by children","Exposure during pregnancy with potential fetal transfer"],"notes":"Exposure to Beer, Wine, and Distilled Spirits occurs via dermal. Children and infants face higher exposure per body weight due to developing detoxification systems, higher surface-area-to-weight ratio, and behavioral factors (mouthing, crawling). Pregnant individuals face additional risk from placental transfer of absorbed compounds to the developing fetus."},"consumer_guidance":{"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Contains known carcinogens","meaning":"Urethane, NDMA — classified by IARC or NTP as carcinogenic or probably carcinogenic to humans","action":"Minimize exposure; consider alternatives; follow use guidelines strictly"},{"indicator":"Overall risk level: high","meaning":"Multiple hazard pathways identified for this product category","action":"Limit exposure duration and frequency; use protective measures where applicable"}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"Third-party tested for contaminants","meaning":"Independent lab verification of safety claims","verification":"Look for NSF, FDA, or EU compliance certification"}],"what_to_ask":[{"question":"What materials are in direct contact with food?","why_it_matters":"Migration of chemicals from packaging or cookware into food depends on the contact material, temperature, and duration"},{"question":"Has this product been tested for carcinogenic compounds?","why_it_matters":"Products in this category may contain or release carcinogenic compounds; independent testing provides verification beyond manufacturer claims"}],"alternatives":[{"name":"Non-alcoholic beer, wine, or spirits","notes":"Eliminates intoxication and health risks while maintaining flavor"},{"name":"Mocktails and alcohol-free beverages","notes":"No impairment risk; suitable for all ages and pregnancy"}],"notes":null},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"FDA 21 CFR Parts 170–189 (Food Contact Substances)","citation":null,"requirements":"All food-contact materials must comply with FDA regulations for indirect food additives. Materials must not transfer harmful substances to food above established thresholds.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"EU","regulation":"Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 (Framework Regulation on Food Contact Materials)","citation":null,"requirements":"Materials and articles intended to come into contact with food must not transfer constituents to food in quantities that could endanger human health or bring about unacceptable change in food composition.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"EU","regulation":"Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 (Plastics in Food Contact)","citation":null,"requirements":"Specific migration limits (SMLs) for monomers and additives. Overall migration limit: 10 mg/dm² or 60 mg/kg food. Positive list of authorized substances.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"USA — California","regulation":"California Proposition 65 (Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act)","citation":null,"requirements":"Products containing listed chemicals require clear warning labels if exposure exceeds safe harbor levels. Applies to food packaging, cookware, and food-contact products sold in California.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[{"name":"FDA 21 CFR","issuer":"FDA","standard":"21 CFR Parts 170-199","scope":"Food contact substances, indirect food additives, migration limits"},{"name":"EU 10/2011","issuer":"European Commission","standard":"Regulation (EU) No 10/2011","scope":"Plastic materials intended to come into contact with food"},{"name":"NSF/ANSI 51","issuer":"NSF International","standard":"NSF/ANSI 51 Food Equipment Materials","scope":"Materials used in commercial food equipment"}],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":true,"disposal_guidance":"Recycle by resin code if marked; check local program; food-soiled items may not be accepted","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"1-3_years"},"formulation":{"form":"composite_material","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000047","name":"Ethanol (alcohol)","role":"active_ingredient","concentration_pct":"4-40 (product-dependent)"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000105","name":"Water","role":"carrier","concentration_pct":"55-95"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000012","name":"Sulfite preservatives (wine: SO2)","role":"preservative","concentration_pct":"<350 ppm"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000018","name":"Acetaldehyde (fermentation byproduct)","role":"additive","concentration_pct":"trace"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000054","material_name":"Alcoholic Beverage Chemical Composition","component":"beverage","prevalence":"common"}],"concerning":[{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000054","concern":"Ethanol IARC Group 1 — 7 cancer sites (oral, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver, colorectal, breast)","compounds_of_concern":["hq-c-org-000628 (ethanol itself, also metabolized to acetaldehyde)"],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000054","concern":"Acetaldehyde IARC Group 1 — direct carcinogen (oral, pharynx, larynx, esophagus); also primary ethanol metabolite","compounds_of_concern":["hq-c-org-000628 (acetaldehyde as constituent + metabolite)"],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000054","concern":"ALDH2 deficiency (36% East Asian population) — 10–30× acetaldehyde accumulation despite normal ethanol metabolism","compounds_of_concern":["hq-c-org-000628"],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000054","concern":"Urethane (ethyl carbamate) IARC 2A — highest in fruit brandies (200–7,000 µg/L)","compounds_of_concern":[],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000054","concern":"WHO 2023 advisory: no safe level for cancer; US Surgeon General 2025: alcohol 3rd leading preventable cancer death cause","compounds_of_concern":["hq-c-org-000628"],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000054","concern":"Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) from prenatal ethanol exposure; no safe level established","compounds_of_concern":[],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000054","concern":"No cancer warning labels on US alcohol products (tobacco has Surgeon General warnings; alcohol does not)","compounds_of_concern":["hq-c-org-000628"],"source_refs":[]},{"material_id":"hq-m-chm-000054","concern":"Potential contaminant: Acetaldehyde (ethanol metabolite and fermentation byproduct)","compounds_of_concern":["hq-c-org-001597"],"source_refs":[]}],"preferred":[{"material_id":null,"material_name":"Non-alcoholic beverages (water, tea, coffee, non-alcoholic beer/wine)","why_preferred":"","tradeoffs":"Zero ethanol and acetaldehyde carcinogenic burden. Different taste; social context loss (alcohol socialization); some non-alcoholic beers retain trace ethanol (<0.5%); non-alcoholic wine often contains higher sugar."}]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000023","compound_name":"Ethanol (ethyl alcohol)","role":"base","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000628","compound_name":"6PPD","role":"base","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000417","compound_name":"Urethane (ethyl carbamate)","role":"base","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000056","compound_name":"Ochratoxin A (fungal mycotoxin, wine and fruit juices)","role":"additive","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000058","compound_name":"Deoxynivalenol (DON, Vomitoxin, barley contamination in beer)","role":"additive","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000015","compound_name":"NDMA (N-Nitrosodimethylamine)","role":"additive","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000045","compound_name":"Methanol","role":"additive","typical_concentration":null}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["beer","wine","alcohol","spirits","liquor","fermented beverages"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand A","manufacturer":"Consumer Products Corporation","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Widely available mass-market option"},{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand B","manufacturer":"Consumer Goods Ltd","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Popular budget alternative"},{"brand":"Premium Brand A","manufacturer":"Premium Consumer Inc","market_position":"premium","notable":"Upscale premium positioning"},{"brand":"Professional Brand","manufacturer":"Professional Products Co","market_position":"professional","notable":"Professional/salon-grade option"},{"brand":"Specialty Eco-Brand","manufacturer":"Natural Products Ltd","market_position":"premium","notable":"Sustainable/natural product line"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"id":"src_001","type":"regulatory","title":"WHO 2023 — Alcohol and Health: No Safe Level","year":2023},{"id":"src_002","type":"regulatory","title":"US Surgeon General 2025 — Alcohol and Cancer","year":2025}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-13T22:24:27.214Z"}}