Concerned fermented tea kombucha products may contain slightly high levels of alcohol, Whole Food Market has removed such products from several manufacturers. The retail chain is working with suppliers to address these concerns, including labeling discrepancies. The Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) set a limit of 0.5 percent, above which products must bear a government warning. There is some speculation storage of kombucha products above refrigeration temperature could have caused some such products to undergo additional fermentation, leading to the slightly elevated alcohol levels. Manufacturers of brands such as GTs, Synergy,, Honest Tea, Katalyst and Buddha’s Brew are hurrying to test their product and ensure it is in compliance with Whole Foods and TTB standards. They got unexpected publicity this past week, as Lindsay Lohan blamed the tea for triggering her alcohol-detecting device, SCRAM bracelet, causing the judge in her legal case to question her alcohol consumption.
Bonnie - when we warned our clients about Kombucha several months ago, this was not one of the reasons. If the product creates this effect, it must be labeled as such.
Thursday, July 08, 2010
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