Rumours about popular whiskey Fireball being recalled are spreading across the Internet, many are claiming that Fireball is infected with the Ebola virus, others claim Fireball contains antifreeze.
It is true that Fireball Whiskey is being recalled in certain parts of Europe, namely Finland, Sweden and Norway. However the truth is a little less alarmist than many of these rumours are suggesting.
It is common in the food and drink industry that a product will be made with a slightly different recipe depending on where it is being shipped. This is because different parts of the world use different food regulatory guidelines and a recipe that adheres to guidelines in, for example the USA, may not pass the guidelines used in, for examples, Europe.
And this is the reason for the recall with Fireball Whiskey, where a batch of the North American recipe found its way to Scandinavia. Europe’s food regulations are often stricter than those of America and as it transpired the North American Fireball recipe uses too much of an ingredient known as propylene glycol, which, whilst passing US FDA regulations, does not pass the equivalent regulations in Europe.
Yes propylene glycol can be found in anti-freeze, but this does not mean it is dangerous itself. In fact propylene glycol is often used in place of ethylene glycol because it is less toxic.
Some things to note –
1. The recall does not mean that Fireball is unsafe. It highlights that European regulations are stricter than those of the US. Propylene glycol is FDA approved, as is the North American recipe for Fireball Whisky. Propylene glycol is safe for internal consumption given the correct percentage.
2. Fireball does not contain anti-freeze. It contains propylene glycol which is an ingredient in anti-freeze.
3. US sales and availability is not affected by the recall.
4. Fireball does not contain Ebola. This was more than likely started as a joke.