Are bitters legal?

As an expert sommelier and brewer, I can confidently say that cocktail bitters are indeed legal. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates cocktail bitters as food ingredients. This means that they are subject to certain regulations and guidelines to ensure their safety for consumption.

In the case of common cocktail bitters, such as almond bitters, they are considered to be “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS). This designation means that these bitters have a long history of safe use in food and are not known to cause harm when consumed in typical amounts. As a result, no additional approval or authorization is required for these bitters to be sold and used in cocktails.

It is worth noting that the GRAS status applies to the common and widely-used cocktail bitters. If a particular bitters variety or ingredient is new or not widely recognized as safe, it may require additional testing or approval from the FDA before it can be legally sold as a food ingredient.

To ensure compliance with FDA regulations, it is important for manufacturers and producers of cocktail bitters to follow good manufacturing practices and adhere to labeling requirements. This includes properly listing all the ingredients used in the bitters, as well as any potential allergens or substances that may cause adverse reactions.

From a personal perspective, I have had the opportunity to work with various types of bitters in my career as a sommelier and brewer. I have witnessed firsthand the popularity of bitters in the cocktail industry and their role in enhancing the flavors of drinks. Bitters are commonly used to add complexity, balance, and depth to cocktails, and their legality is never a concern.