In a move that seemed to reek of crony capitalism, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, a division of the US Treasury Department, sent several warnings to producers of kombucha, a fermented tea drink brewed with yeast and bacteria. Allegedly, kombucha beverages exceeded the allowable alcohol limit and should thus be labeled as alcoholic beverages subject to stricter regulations.

Kombucha drinks contain trace amounts of alcohol, but the amount typically falls below the federal limit of 0.5% alcohol by volume. The government has also been using the same alcohol test for kombucha as it does for wine, beer and spirits. The problem, however, is that the organic acids and natural sedimentation in kombucha can be read as ethanol, which can alter the results of the test.

In arguing against the Bureau’s flawed methodology, Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) asked the authorities to stop harassing kombucha brewers until a better testing method could be used.

If kombucha — a beverage that promotes gut health and immunity — were to be regulated like alcohol, less people would have access to its benefits. As a result of stricter regulations, the decrease in consumers patronizing the product could possibly cause kombucha producers to discontinue producing altogether — to the detriment of the public’s health, and to the advantage of no other than Big Food companies.

Sources:

ANH-USA.com