Denatonium benzoate as a deterrent to ingestion of toxic substances: toxicity and efficacy.

When ingested at 10 ppm by human beings, denatonium benzoate has an extremely bitter, unpleasant taste. The addition of denatonium benzoate to liquid dish detergents and orange juice reduces the amount ingested by children. The toxicity of denatonium benzoate is low with acute po LD50's in rats of 485-740 mg/kg. The use of bittering agents, such as denatonium benzoate, could reduce the ingestion of toxic substances by dogs, cats, other animals and children and warrants further investigation.