Ethyl Carbamate (Urethane)
Ethyl carbamate, or urethane, is a naturally-occurring chemical component of fermented substances. You’ll find it in beer, wine, and foods made with fermentation processes. This includes bread and even some soy sauce.
According to the World Health Organization, urethane is genotoxic and classified as a Group 2A carcinogen. However, the same organization considers any ethyl carbamate found in foods to be of “low concern” — though consuming the chemical in alcoholic beverages was considered more risky.
