Which federal agency primarily regulates the denaturing of spirits in the United States?

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is the federal agency that primarily regulates the denaturing of spirits in the United States. The TTB is a bureau within the Department of the Treasury. Denaturing is the process of adding substances to alcohol to make it unfit for beverage consumption, while still allowing it to be used for industrial purposes. The TTB establishes regulations and guidelines for denaturing spirits, including the types and amounts of denaturants that can be used. These regulations are outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), specifically Title 27. Distillers must obtain permits from the TTB to denature spirits, and they must comply with all TTB regulations regarding the handling, storage, and use of denatured spirits. Example: A distiller wanting to denature alcohol for use as a hand sanitizer would need to follow TTB guidelines on approved denaturants and recordkeeping requirements. The TTB also conducts inspections and audits to ensure compliance with these regulations, and it can impose penalties for violations. The goal is to prevent the diversion of denatured spirits for illegal beverage use, thereby protecting public health and revenue.