Tag: Beverage regulations

According to a 2024 review, 55 countries have tax policies and 23 have sales bans related to controlling energy drink consumption among children and adolescents. Illegal energy drinks are not a single product but can be standard beverages sold illegally or those with banned or mislabeled ingredients.

Over 17 states explicitly prohibit the purchase of non-alcoholic beer by those under 21, creating confusion for many hoping to buy Athletic brew under 21. The answer isn't a simple yes or no, as regulations vary significantly across the United States, leaving the final decision up to state law and even individual store policy.

According to research, tea leaves naturally contain trace amounts of nicotine, a surprising fact for many consumers. While not enough to be harmful or addictive, these natural compounds exist in many common plants, including those we use to make beverages. Beyond natural traces, some engineered drinks have historically contained added nicotine before facing regulatory action.

In the United States and many other countries, a beverage is legally classified as “non-alcoholic” if it contains less than 0.5% alcohol by volume (ABV). This definition often leads to confusion for consumers who expect zero alcohol, raising the question: is .5 alcohol considered alcohol-free?

While the law often defines an alcoholic beverage as having an alcohol content greater than 0.5% ABV, many retailers and hospitality venues enforce a blanket age restriction for alcohol-free products, such as cider. This is not a legal mandate but a company-level policy designed to prevent confusion and promote responsible retailing.

Globally, caffeine regulations differ dramatically depending on the country and product classification. While the U.S. has a specific rule for traditional cola, a clear federal legal limit to how much caffeine can be in a drink does not exist for all beverages, particularly energy drinks marketed as dietary supplements.

According to government guidance in the UK, a drink labeled 'low alcohol' can contain up to 1.2% ABV, which means a 1% beer is not non-alcoholic. The answer largely depends on local regulations, the specific labeling, and your personal definition of 'non-alcoholic'.

Despite the fact that a gram of alcohol contains seven calories—almost as much as a gram of fat—bottles of beer, wine, and spirits typically lack the nutrition facts panel found on most other beverages. So, does alcohol have nutrition facts on the bottle, and if not, why is this the case?

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a fruit nectar is a specific beverage product obtained by adding water and sweeteners to fruit juice or puree, making its composition distinct from 100% juice. This standardized definition is precisely why some juices are called nectar, a name that signifies a deliberate formulation based on the fruit's natural properties.