BitrexTM is the brand name of the most bitter substance yet discovered. It is inert and odourless, but only tiny amounts are needed to make products taste unpalatable.

Children are particularly sensitive to bitter tastes, making Bitrex a powerful deterrent to accidental swallowing.

BitrexTM was discovered in 1958 by Macfarlan Smith Ltd. First used in denaturing alcohol – making it legally unfit for consumption – it is now added to a wide range of household cleaners, pesticides, and DIY and automotive products.

BitrexTM is derived from lignocaine, an analgesic formerly manufactured by Macfarlan Smith for use in dental surgery. During laboratory studies on this compound, it was noted that at a certain stage of the reaction a very bitter tasting substance was created. A further experiment concluded that the substance was BitrexTM.

Today, BitrexTM is the most widely-used bittering compound in the world, sold in more than 40 countries through a global network.

It is added to a wide range of consumer products to ensure that they taste unpleasant. This significantly reduces the likelihood of dangerous substances being ingested by young children.