Fast facts

Fermented drinks and alcohol What are fermented drinks? Fermented drinks inlcude kombucha, Fermented or brewed soft drinks are an ginger beer, kvass and kefir. expanding category in the Australian and were found to be non-compliant with Kombucha is producted from a mixture beverages industry. Fermented drinks, such alcohol labelling requirements. of steeped tea and sugar, combined with as kombucha, ginger beer, kefir and kvass, a culture of yeat strains and bacteria. can contain low levels of alcohol as a by- For the kombucha samples tested, Some kombucha drinks also have fruit product of fermentation. around 65% had more than 0.5% jucie or other flavours added during alcohol, and for water-based kefir production. Definition of brewed soft drink samples tested 74% had more than 0.5% Kefir can be produced from milk (or a Under the Australia New Zealand Food alcohol. The dairy-based kefir samples dairy alternative such as soy milk) , water Standards Code (the Code) Standard 2.6.2- tested all had less than 0.5 % alcohol. or coconut water. 2: Ginger beer and kvass samples tested had around 31% with more than 0.5% Kvass is a traditional fermented Slavic beverage commonly made from rye A brewed soft drink means a food that: alcohol. bread. (a) is the product prepared by a fermentation process from water with sugar and one or Why is there alcohol in brewed more of: soft drinks? i. fruit extractives or infusions; or ii. vegetable extractives or infusions; and During the brewing process of these (b) contains no more than 1.15% alcohol by types of soft drinks, alcohol is produced. volume (ABV). If the process is uncontrolled, inaccuracies in alcohol measurement Alcohol labeling and/or incorrect transport and storage of The Code requires drinks that contain more these brewed soft drinkscan result in than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) to have a excess production of alcohol and statement of alcohol content on the label. incorrect labelling of alcohol content on the drink. The majority of state and territory food regulators, under their Liquor Acts, define Who is affected by drinking liquor as being a beverage that contains more alcohol? than 1.15% ethanol by volume. However, in Queensland, Tasmania and Victoria, Some groups should not drink alcohol beverages containing more than 0.5% while others may not wish to drink For more information alcohol by volume are considered alcoholic alcohol for a variety of reasons. (or a liquor). The need for producers to be FSANZ, Labelling of Alcoholic familiar with the various legislation where This includes children, and women who Beverages User Guide, 2014 products are sold is important. are pregnant or breast feeding. People NSW Health, Fermented drinks and who have certain medical conditions, alcohol fact sheet, 2019 Drinks that contain more than 0.5% or 1.15% take prescription medication or intend to Victorian Commission for Gambling and ABV (depending on the jurisdiction) must drive a vehicle should be aware that Liqor Regulation, Brewed soft drtinks include a statement that indicates the volume drinking fermented drinks will increase and undeclared alcohol article, 2019 of alcohol as a percentage of the total volume their blood alcohol concentration. of the beverage and the number of standard Victoria State Government Health and Human Services, Some soft drinks may drinks. A standard drink contains 10 grams of The National Health and Medical contain alcochol. A guide for alcohol. Research Council advices that healthy retailersfor the sale of brewed and men and women should drink no more Survey of fermented drinks and fermented soft drinks fact sheet, 2019. than two standard drinks any day. Not alcohol content drinking alcohol is the safest option for A recent nationally coordinated survey by women who are pregnant or food regulators found that many fermented breastfeeding and for those under 18 brewed soft drinks (such as kombucha, years of age. ginger beer,kefir, kvass) contained alcohol,

This brochure is designed as a general guide only. For specific health information seek assistance from a suitably qualified health practitioner. © August 2019