Kombucha tea maker Vibranz returns to Whole Foods
The government since June has tested hundreds of types of kombucha to determine if it should be labeled like beer or wine.
By Emily Fredrix, APWed, Aug 04 2010 at 12:26 PM EST
TIPSY TEA?: Bottles are filled with fermented tea at the Katalyst Kombucha company in Greenfield, Mass. Some kombucha teas have more than 0.5 percent alcohol, the legal limit for a drink not to be considered alcoholic. (Photo: Charles Krupa/AP)
Kombucha maker Vibranz said its fermented tea is back at Whole Foods stores, marking the first return after the grocer pulled the products from shelves over worries they contained too much alcohol.
Whole Foods Market Inc. removed all varieties of the trendy tea from stores in mid-June.
The retailer and regulators are concerned that some bottles have more than 0.5 percent alcohol — the legal limit for a drink not to be considered alcoholic. The tea in its most popular form is raw and unpasteurized, meaning it ferments and the yeast inside produces alcohol.
Kombucha (pronounced com-BOOCH-a or com-BOOK-a) contains live bacteria and yeast, similar to yogurt. People like the bubbly drink and say it has health benefits such as improving digestion.
The government since June has tested hundreds of types of kombucha to determine if it should be labeled like beer or wine. Distributors and retailers have removed raw kombucha from stores, saying they won't restock until they know more.
Vibranz said it has a new formula that reduces alcohol to fall within the limits. Its kombucha, which it first started making in April, is now back in Whole Foods stores in northern California, near its headquarters. The company said it has more orders from around the country. It would not say how much alcohol its drinks had previously.
Whole Foods, which is based in Austin, Texas, did not return messages left seeking comment.
G.T. Dave, CEO of the company that makes category leaders GT's Kombucha and Synergy, said Wednesday his company is close to relaunching new products within weeks.
The federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, which has not issued a recall, has been testing samples and plans to come out with new guidelines when testing is complete. It said Wednesday that it did not know when that would be.
Copyright 2010 AP News
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Comments
estaples
08/05/2010 22:42 PM
It's been a not-so-refreshing summer since my favorite liquid friend disappeared off of shelves across the country. I'm looking forward to celebrating the day it returns! Until then, does anyone have any 2nd best suggestions for further liquid consumption enjoyment?
