Does vanilla extract contain alcohol?
A17. Most extracts are made with alcohol, but some are not. In order to be sure, always check the ingredients label. Vanilla extract containing alcohol is generally used in the preparation of food and related products at a very low combined concentration level and the alcohol usually volatizes during preparation. Therefore, it is highly unlikely, if not impossible, that its alcohol content will have any adverse effect on persons consuming food products that use this type of extract. If the food preparation involves heating, baking or cooking, then the alcohol will quickly evaporate. However, care should be taken not to ingest quantities of pure alcohol-based vanilla extract directly from its original container. Always store this product in a safe, secure environment away from children. When used in food preparation, it should be entirely safe. If you have any objections to consuming an alcohol-based product, we recommend that you purchase a non-alcohol based extract.
