Dog Advocate Groups Push for Antifreeze Sans the Sweet

Washington DC July 19, 2005; The AIADA newsletter reported that an unusual alliance of consumer groups and a pack of dogs took to the Hill Monday in support for a bill requiring antifreeze manufacturers to make their product less tasty, Reuters reports. The legislation would require manufacturers to put denatonium benzoate, a toxic agent, into antifreeze to give it a bitter taste.

Sara Amundson of the Doris Day Animal League told the Senate Commerce subcommittee on consumer affairs that 1,400 children ingest antifreeze each year, and as many as 10,000 dogs and cats a year are poisoned by it. The consumer, industry, and animal rights groups blame this on antifreeze’s dangerously sweet taste.

Domestic antifreeze producers support the legislation, which would also protect antifreeze manufacturers from liability associated with the bitter tasting agent