Daily Organics is recalling its Original, Chai & Spices and Lemon & Ginger kombucha due to higher-than-permitted alcohol levels.
“The issue with Daily Organics kombucha is that it was found to have levels of alcohol content higher than permitted,” said New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) Deputy Director-General, Vincent Arbuckle.
“Kombucha not formulated and sold as alcoholic kombucha should contain less than 1.15% alcohol.
“Alcohol is naturally present in low amounts due to the fermentation process required to make kombucha.
“NZFS testing showed levels ranging between 2.9% and 3.29%, making a 200ml bottle the equivalent of half a standard drink.”
Daily Organics founders Delwyn Ward and Brad Gwynne said in a statement: “It has become apparent that our living product has to increase in natural alcohol beyond the regulatory levels post manufacturing.
“This is likely due to the product being exposed to different temperatures and conditions along the supply chain and we are unable to control this at all points.”
NZFS says consumers concerned with the alcohol content should not consume this product and it can be returned to the place of purchase for a refund.
The products have been removed from shelves in all retailers.
“As some kombucha is live – such as in the case of the Daily Organics products – it is possible it can keep fermenting in the bottle if not refrigerated, producing more alcohol,” says Arbuckle.
“We remind consumers to pay close attention to the directions for use, and to keep live kombucha chilled to below 4 degrees Celsius.”
All batches and all dates of the below products are affected by the recall:
Daily Organics Kombucha Original (200ml and 1L)
Daily Organics Kombucha Chai and Spices (200ml and 1L)
Daily Organics Kombucha Lemon and Ginger (200ml and 1 L)
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