21 CFR § 189.140 - Diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC).

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t21/s189.140"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "21 CFR § 189.140 - Diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC)."
title_number: 21
title_name: "Food and Drugs"
section_number: "189.140"
section_name: "Diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC)."
chapter_name: "FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION"
part_number: "189"
part_name: "SUBSTANCES PROHIBITED FROM USE IN HUMAN FOOD"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "21 U.S.C. 321, 342, 348, 371, 381."
regulatory_source: "42 FR 14659, Mar. 15, 1977, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "189"
---


# 189.140 Diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC).

(a) Diethylpyrocarbonate is the chemical pyrocarbonic acid diethyl ester, C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>10</sub>O<sub>5</sub>. It is a synthetic chemical not found in natural products at levels detectable by available methodology and has been used as a ferment inhibitor in alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.

(b) Food containing any added or detectable level of DEPC is deemed to be adulterated in violation of the act based upon an order published in the *Federal Register* of August 2, 1972 (37 FR 15426).