90%+ OF “KOMBUCHA” BRANDS FLOUTING UK LABELLING LAWS

EXTRACT from Regulation No. 1169/2011, the Food Information to Consumers (FIC) Regulation, and associated legal standards for labelling and composition of food products (our emphasis in CAPS):

“The following information must appear by law on food labels and packaging:

“The name of the food must be clearly stated on the packaging and not be misleading.

“If there is a name prescribed in law this must be used.

“IN THE ABSENCE OF A LEGAL NAME, A CUSTOMARY NAME CAN BE USED. This might be a name that has become commonly understood by consumers and established over time such as ‘BLT’ for a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich.

“If there is no customary name or it is not used, a descriptive name of the food must be provided. This must be sufficiently descriptive to inform the consumer of the true nature of the food and to enable it to be distinguished from products with which it might otherwise be confused. Most products will fall into this category and require a descriptive name.

“IF THE FOOD HAS BEEN PROCESSED IN SOME WAY, THE PROCESS MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE TITLE, for example ‘smoked bacon’, ‘salted peanuts’ or ‘dried fruit’.

“A PROCESSED FOOD IS ANY FOOD THAT HAS BEEN ALTERED IN SOME WAY DURING PREPARATION.”

Source: https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/packaging-and-labelling

In an age in which telling the truth can seem like a revolutionary act, The Real Kombucha Revolution calls for transparency and integrity to prevail throughout the sector; for all producers to act NOW to become legally compliant to enable consumers to make informed choices based on honest, truthful labelling.