After years of tireless efforts from our lobbying team and many of you, we now have the momentum and the legislative support to pass the KOMBUCHA Act but we can’t do it without you! This year we’re returning to the Capitol with a Virtual Hill Climb on March 23-26, 2021, and we need all US kombucha brewers to join us.

Ongoing COVID restrictions have opened up a historic opportunity for you to connect with your representatives and voice your needs from anywhere in the US. No costs to cover and very little time required– it’s as easy as a 30-min Zoom meeting (with which we’ve all become WELL-acquainted this year).

In addition to pushing forward important legislation, you’ll:

  • Have a platform to share how the current economic crisis has affected your business
  • Advocate for your industry
  • Create valuable relationships with lawmakers
  • Receive hands-on training from our experienced lobbying team via a one time Zoom meeting- Thursday, March 18th, 11am PST/2pm ET
  • Network with fellow brewers during our virtual lobbying happy hour on Friday March 26th at 2pm PST/5pm ET, led by KBI president Hannah Crum
  • ***NON KBI MEMBERS ARE WELCOME*** – We advocate for you, too!

On World Kombucha Day, our congressional sponsors are re-introducing the bipartisan, uncontroversial bill we’ve been laying groundwork for since 2016 to ease outdated restrictions on kombucha brewers. With the recent changes to Congress, we have a real chance to pass the KOMBUCHA Act THIS YEAR. To secure this bill, members of Congress need to see and hear from kombucha brewing constituents. Only with your presence can we show lawmakers how important–and how timely– it is to pass this Act and ease the burden on kombucha brewers to comply with an outdated, ill-fitting law.

The KOMBUCHA Act, a game-changing piece of legislation for our growing industry, will raise the alcohol by volume (ABV) threshold for Kombucha to 1.25% ABV from 0.5% ABV. Today, as you know, if your Kombucha leaves the brewery at, say, 0.4% ABV, but increases to above 0.5% ABV at any point thereafter, you are subject to federal excise taxes intended for beer. That is a patently unfair and outdated result. These laws were never intended to make Kombucha subject to taxes designated for beer. Passing the KOMBUCHA Act under the next appropriations bill will relieve this unnecessary burden on kombucha brewers. Only Kombucha above that level (1.25%) will be subject to federal excise taxes when this Act becomes law.

We’ve seen the difference organizing can make in overturning the status quo, and how crucial the involvement of each individual is. This year’s Virtual Hill Climb is the most important one yet. We need any and all US kombucha brewers (members or not) to join the fight for this legislation by meeting with your representative to support the KOMBUCHA Act. Simply sign up for a Zoom meeting any time March 23-26 (8am-5pm ET)– our team will be with you every step of the way.

More information about the KOMBUCHA Act and our lobbying efforts can be found on our website. Again, it’s easier and more important than ever to attend this lobbying event and exercise your fundamental rights! No hotels to pay for, no flights to take, no days away from your business– just 30 minutes on your computer, with people invested in your success.

If you are available to join us, please fill out the registration form here. You may also contact KBI at lgo@kombuchabrewers.org to ask questions and receive updated information as it becomes available.

It’s time. We have the power. Let’s bring our voices to Washington!

 

Thanks to Past Participants:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aqua ViTea Kombucha, VT
BABA’s Brew, PA
BAO Food & Drink, NJ
Blue Ridge Bucha, VA
Bootleg Bucha, NY
Buchi, NC
Capitol Kombucha, DC
Craft Kombucha, DC
Elixir Kombucha, KY
Funky Fresh, PA
Golda Kombucha, GA
GT’s Kombucha, CA
Health-Ade, CA
Hex Ferments, MD
High Country, CO
Holy Kombucha, TX
Humm Kombucha, OR
Katboocha, NY
Live Soda, TX
Ninja Kombucha, VA
Pilot Kombucha, NY
Revive Kombucha, CA
Sole Kombucha, PA

image of the capitol bldg in washington dc

Our next Capitol Hill Climb to support the KOMBUCHA Act was originally scheduled for May 13th, 2020. However, due to the current limitations of COVID-19 related travel restrictions and physical distancing requirements, we are taking our efforts online! What does this mean for kombucha brewers across the United States? It’s now easier than ever to attend a lobbying event and exercise your fundamental rights! So fire up your computers, turn on that webcam, and let’s bring our voices (and faces) to Washington!

  • Learn the ropes of lobbying with experienced brewers
  • Have a platform to share how the current economic crisis has impacted your business
  • Advocate for your industry and business
  • Create valuable relationships with lawmakers
  • Receive hands on training from our experienced lobbying team via a one time Zoom meeting- Friday, May 8th 11am PST
  • Network with fellow brewers and activists during our virtual lobbying happy hour on Friday May 15th at 1pm PST, led by KBI president Hannah Crum
  • ** NON KBI MEMBERS also welcome to join us – We fight for your rights too!

More information about the KOMBUCHA Act and our lobbying efforts can be found on our website.  

 If you are available to join us, please contact KBI at lgo@kombuchabrewers.org to receive updated information as it becomes available. 

The registration form to participate can be found here.

Kombucha es un producto que se puede producir de manera segura tanto en casa como de manera comercial. Al ser un alimento tradicional fermentado, sus componentes microbianos y los ácidos orgánicos que produce aseguran que se mantenga bien preservada, incluso sin refrigeración. El papel de los alimentos fermentados precede otros tipos de tecnologías de preservación tales como refrigeración, pasteurización o conservantes químicos.

Colombia tiene una larga historia de utilizar alimentos fermentados para proveer alimentos altos en nutrientes a su población nativa. La cassava, el cacao y el maíz han sido fermentados por medio de procesos tradicionales para crear almidón agrio, chicha, champús, masa agria, guarapo, y muchas cosas más .

La kombucha es originaria de Asia y ha viajado por el mundo muchas veces donde ha disfrutado de popularidad como una bebida casera en China, Japón, Corea, Rusia, Alemania, Italia y Estados Unidos. Fue en los Estados Unidos donde la bebida salió a la venta por primera vez en 1995.

KBI responde a cada una de las preocupaciones del gobierno colombiano para demostrar que la industria comercial de kombucha tiene políticas responsables y proactivas establecidas para asegurar la seguridad de nuestros productos para todos. Sabemos que esta vibrante industria puede ofrecer una alternativa saludable tanto a los refrescos y jugos como a las bebidas energéticas llenas de químicos. Empoderar y educar a los productores de kombucha crea un ambiente donde los consumidores tienen más opciones, ofrece oportunidades económicas para más personas y genera una población más saludable, lo cual la responsabilidad del gobierno.


Kombucha Brewers International Response to INVIMA of Colombia

Kombucha is an incredibly safe product to brew at home as well as commercially. As a traditional fermented food, it’s microbial makeup and the organic acids it produces ensures that it is well preserved even without refrigeration. The role of fermented foods far precedes other types of preservation technology such as refrigeration, pasteurization or chemical preservatives.

Colombia has a long history of using fermented foods to provide nutrient dense foods for their native population. Cassava, cacao and maize have all been fermented through traditional processes to create almidón agrio, chicha, champús, masa agria, guarapo and many more. Kombucha originates in Asia and has traveled the world many times over where it has enjoyed popularity primarily as a home brewed beverage from China, Japan and Korea to Russia, Germany, Italy and the United States. It is in the US where the beverage first became available for purchase in 1995.

KBI addresses each of the concerns laid out by the Colombian government to demonstrate that the commercial kombucha industry has responsible and proactive policies in place to ensure the safety of our products for all people. We know that this vibrant industry can provide a healthier alternative to sugary sodas and juices as well as chemical laden energy drinks. Empowering and educating kombucha producers creates an environment where consumers have more choice, provides economic opportunities to more people and generates a healthier populace which reduces the burden on governments.

 

¿Cómo garantizar el contenido microbiológico para garantizar la ausencia de patógenos?

Con respecto a la seguridad de producción y el consumo humano, sus miles de años de historia son un testamento, ya que los humanos no consumirían recursos, tiempo o energía produciendo un alimento que los dañara. Varios estudios han demostrado que el nivel de pH y el perfil de ácido orgánico de la kombucha previene la contaminación a manos de patógenos comunes, incluyendo E. coli, salmonela, listeria, entre otros.

Los invitamos a leer nuestra hoja informativa de la industria para encontrar información adicional.

How does one ensure microbiological content to guarantee the non-presence of pathogens?

Regarding safety for production and human consumption, its thousands-year-old history is a testament, as humans would not spend resources, time or energy on producing a food that could harm them. Many research papers have demonstrated that kombucha’s unique pH level and organic acid profile prevents contamination by a host of common pathogens including E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria and many others.

We invite you to read our industry fact sheet for additional information.

 

¿Cuáles son las mejores prácticas, procesos y regulaciones que la industria utiliza para garantizar la cualidad del SCOBY?

Pueden leer las Mejores Prácticas de KBI aquí → https://kombuchabrewers.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Best-Practices-Espa%C3%B1ol.pdf

KBI ha trabajado con muchos gobiernos para garantizar que prácticas seguras sean utilizadas y ayudó de manera directa a los productores brasileños para establecer su Estándar de Identidad, el cual menciona algunas de las especificaciones técnicas fundamentales para la kombucha. KBI hará público su Código de Prácticas y programa de privacidad en verano del 2020.

What are the best Practices, process and controls that the industry uses to guarantee the SCOBY quality?

You may read the KBI Best Practices in Spanish here →

https://kombuchabrewers.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Best-Practices-Espa%C3%B1ol.pdf

KBI has worked with many governments to ensure safe practices are utilized and directly assisted our Brazilian producers to establish their Standard of Identity, which lists some of the critical technical specifications for kombucha. KBI will be releasing our Code of Practice and seal program in the summer of 2020.

 

¿Qué características físicas o químicas son analizadas para aprobar la calidad del SCOBY?

Los miembros de KBI reciben entrenamiento para desarrollar planes HACCP para garantizar la seguridad de las prácticas de producción y demostrar un amplio conocimiento de sus procesos. Nuestros puntos críticos de control consisten en niveles de pH controlados en todo momento junto con inspecciones visuales para eliminar los cultivos que presenten moho. Al ser un organismo abundante, cualquier manifestación es visible para el ojo de inmediato ya que el moho que se produce en la kombucha es el mismo que se produce en cualquier otro alimento.

What physical or chemical characteristics are analyzed to approve the quality of the SCOBY?

KBI members receive training in how to develop HACCP plans to ensure safe brewing practices and to demonstrate full knowledge of their processes. Our critical control points consist of proper pH levels maintained at all times along with visual inspections to eliminate cultures that exhibit mold. As a hearty organism, any infestation is immediately apparent to the naked eye, as the mold that occurs on kombucha is the same as mold on any other food product.

 

Si el SCOBY se echa a perder, ¿qué se puede hacer para reestablecer su calidad?

Los SCOBY normalmente son organismos resistentes, y mientras tengan los nutrientes y los controles ambientales apropiados, son fáciles de cuidar. Los cultivos de moho y todo el líquido deben desecharse de inmediato. Los SCOBY pueden conseguirse por medio de proveedores comerciales o pueden crearse nuevos cultivos al trabajar con los saludables que ya se tienen.

If the SCOBY goes bad, what can be done to reestablish  SCOBY quality?

SCOBYs are generally hardy organisms, and as long as they have proper nutrients and environmental controls, they are easy to care for. Moldy cultures, along with all of the liquid, are to be disposed of immediately. SCOBYs are available for purchase from commercial suppliers, or new cultures may be cultivated by working with existing cultures that are healthy.

 

¿Hay documentos con las prácticas principales de la industria para detener la fermentación del alcohol?

Como se menciona en Mejores Prácticas, la kombucha cruda almacenada a la temperatura apropiada mantiene el control de calidad por más tiempo. La kombucha tradicional es fermentada, baja en alcohol sin efectos embriagantes que normalmente se consume cruda, es decir no pasteurizada, para proteger los probióticos y los nutrientes vivos y evitar que se dañen.

Que no esté pasteurizada significa que no ha sido tratada con calor ni químicos. Al seguir siendo un producto en crudo, puede experimentar leves cambios en etanol mientras el proceso de fermentación continúa dentro de la botella.

Para detener el proceso, la kombucha cruda debe mantenerse fría en todo momento para mantener la integridad del producto y prevenir la fermentación dentro de la botella.

La temperatura del almacenamiento debe mantenerse a una temperatura de 34-40º F /1.1-4.4ºC para alentar la fermentación de la kombucha a lo largo de la cadena de suministro.

La vida útil de la kombucha se define por la cantidad de tiempo que puede permanecer almacenada en frío antes de que los niveles de etanol sobrepasen el límite legal (que varía dependiendo de la ubicación).

Los productos que dicen ser crudos y poder almacenarse no se reconocen como estables sin evidencia complementaria empírica por parte de un laboratorio de pruebas de terceros para verificar que el nivel de etanol se mantenga dentro del límite legal de su ubicación. Productos de este tipo no existen en el mercado estadounidense ya que la kombucha cruda está sujeta a su refrigeración.

Are there documents with the industry leading practices to stop the alcoholic fermentation.

As outlined in the Best Practices, raw kombucha stored at the appropriate temperatures maintains quality control for extended periods of time. Kombucha is a traditionally fermented, low alcohol, non-intoxicating beverage that is most commonly consumed raw, meaning unpasteurized, to protect the probiotics and nutrients in a living form from being damaged.

Unpasteurized means not subject to pasteurization via heat or chemical means. As a result of remaining a raw product, it can experience slight shifts in ethanol as the fermentation process continues in the bottle.

To arrest that process, raw Kombucha must be kept cold at all times to maintain the integrity of the product and to prevent over fermentation in the bottle.

Cold storage ought to be maintained at 34-40º F /1.1-4.4ºC to slow the fermentation of the Kombucha throughout the supply chain.

Shelf life of Kombucha is determined by how long the product can remain in cold storage before the ethanol level goes above the prescribed legal limit (will vary based on location).

Products that claim to be both shelf-stable and raw are not currently recognized as stable without further evidence vis-a-vis shelf life testing by a third party lab to verify that the ethanol level remains within the legal limit for that location. No such products currently exist in the US marketplace as all raw Kombucha is subject to refrigeration.

 

¿Hay documentos donde podemos probar que la FDA ha confirmado que la kombucha es legal; que está catalogada como una comida y es segura para consumo humano?

Todos los miembros de KBI en Estados Unidos deben matricular sus instalaciones de acuerdo con la Ley contra el Bioterrorismo del 2002. Hay más de 750 marcas comerciales de kombucha en Estados Unidos nada más. Así que aunque la FDA no tiene una postura oficial en cuanto a la kombucha, claramente está enterada de la industria y lo considera un producto seguro.

Is there documentation to prove the FDA has stated that Kombucha is legal; that is catalogued as a food and save to consume by humans?

All KBI members based in the U.S. are required to enroll their facility in accordance with the Bioterrorism Act of 2002. There are more than 750 commercial kombucha brands in the United States alone. So while the FDA doesn’t have an official stance on kombucha, it is clearly aware of the industry and considers our products safe.

 

¿Tienen algún documento que pueda ayudarnos en nuestra misión de hacer legal la kombucha en Colombia?

Múltiples estudios discuten los beneficios para los humanos. Aquí hay una reseña de varios estudios sobre este tema:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joselina_Huerta/publication/323136183_A_review_on_health_benefits_of_kombucha_nutritional_compounds_and_metabolites/links/5cf99170299bf13a384327a5/A-review-on-health-benefits-of-kombucha-nutritional-compounds-and-metabolites.pdf


Are there any toxicological studies that proves that kombucha is safe for human consumption?

Numerous studies discuss its benefits for humans. Here is a review of several studies on this subject:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Joselina_Huerta/publication/323136183_A_review_on_health_benefits_of_kombucha_nutritional_compounds_and_metabolites/links/5cf99170299bf13a384327a5/A-review-on-health-benefits-of-kombucha-nutritional-compounds-and-metabolites.pdf

 

¿Hay estudios que prueben que mantener el nivel de pH de la kombucha debajo de 3.5 es un método aprovado para evitar los patógenos en la kombucha?

Un conocimiento básico de química puede probar que esto es verdad. Aquí hay algunos estudios adicionales que se pueden revisar:

https://research.kombuchabrewers.org/?query=antibacterial

Are there any studies that proves that maintaining the kombucha ph below 3.5 is an approved method to keep pathogens out of the kombucha?

Simple knowledge of chemistry will prove that to be true. Here are some additional studies for review:

https://research.kombuchabrewers.org/?query=antibacterial

 

¿Hay documentos que prueben que la kombucha no genera metanol durante el proceso de fermentación?

Ninguno de los estudios sobre la kombucha han mostrado la presencia de metanol. La producción de metanol se relaciona con la cantidad de pectinas en la hierba. El té y el azúcar no contienen pectinas y, por lo tanto, no pueden producir metanol.

Any documents that proves that kombucha does not generate methanol in the fermentation process?

None of the studies on kombucha have shown the presence of methanol. Methanol production is linked to pectin content in the wort. Tea and sugar do not contain pectin and therefore cannot produce methanol.

 

¿Tienen algún documento que pueda ayudarnos en nuestra misión de hacer legal la kombucha en Colombia?
Any other document that you have that can help us in our quest to make legal kombucha in Colombia?

https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/cpg-sec-110300-registration-food-facilities-under-public-health-security-and-bioterrorism

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5028366/

Entra a la base de datos de investigaciones sobre kombucha → https://research.kombuchabrewers.org/

Access the Kombucha Research Database here to find numerous studies → https://research.kombuchabrewers.org/

 

ALERTA SANITARIA Dirección de Alimentos y Bebidas Alerta No. 024-2020

Alimentos que se comercializan con la expresión “Kombucha”

Nombre del producto: Alimentos que se comercializan con la expresión “Kombucha”

Registro sanitario: RSAV15I10313/RSA-004946-2017 / RSA-006687-2018 /RSA-005012-2017 / RSA-0007265-2018 / NSA-005392-2018

Fuente de la alerta: Denuncias y acciones de inspección, vigilancia y control (IVC) No. Identificación interno: AA200101

Descripción del caso El Instituto Nacional de Vigilancia de Medicamentos y Alimentos (Invima) informa a la comunidad, que conforme a las competencias de inspección, vigilancia y control se han detectado irregularidades en relación con la siguiente declaración en alimentos: Kombucha es una bebida elaborada a partir de té endulzado y fermentado utilizando un cultivo simbiótico de bacterias y levaduras (SCOBY). En el mercado se han encontrado algunas bebidas que utilizan como ingrediente el “SCOBY”. Al cual se le atribuyen diferentes propiedades en salud, según referencias bibliográficas . Cabe anotar que el “SCOBY” es un ingrediente que no ha sido autorizado por el Invima para su uso en alimentos y bebidas. Bogotá, 19 Febrero 2020 Marcas “o.k. kombucha”, “Alino”, “HAPPY”, “La fantástica”, “Kogui kombucha”, “Coordenada 0” y “Yogi”

Por lo anterior el Invima se permite informar a la población en general que los alimentos que se comercializan en Colombia y que contienen la expresión kombucha, presentan la siguiente situación sanitaria:

1. En relación con la autorización para comercializar alimentos a los cuales el Invima les otorgó Registro Sanitario o Notificación Sanitaria, y que están utilizando dentro de su composición el ingrediente “SCOBY” o están haciendo uso de la expresión “Kombucha”, el Invima hace claridad de lo siguiente:

a) Para el Registro Sanitario RSAV15I10313 correspondiente al alimento “bebida con té diferentes variedades”, que incluye las marcas “o.k. kombucha”, “alino”, en presentación comercial caja por 6, 12 y 24 unidades de 250, 330, 500 y 1000 mililitros, y cuyo fabricante es Cohen Leiderman Flora propietaria del establecimiento de comercio o.k. kombucha, mediante acciones de Inspección, Vigilancia y Control se evidenció que el fabricante utiliza “cultivo probiótico de Kombucha”, el cual no está aprobado en el Registro Sanitario, así como el incumplimiento del rotulado y publicidad de la bebida con té variedades, marca kombucha.

b) Para el Registro Sanitario RSA-004946-2017 correspondiente al alimento “bebida con té diferentes variedades”, que incluye la marca “HAPPY” en presentación comercial botellas (PET o vidrio) de 120, 180, 200, 250, 320, 350, 500, 750, 1000 y 3780 mililitros, y cuyo fabricante es Drink With Purpose S.A.S, se evidenció que en el proceso de fabricación del alimento se estaba llevando a cabo fermentación alcohólica obtenida mediante la adición del “SCOBY” como ingrediente y, adicionalmente, el rotulado del alimento hace alusión a la expresión “kombucha”.

c) Para el Registro Sanitario RSA-006687-2018 correspondiente al alimento “bebida con té”, que incluye la marca “La fantástica” en presentación comercial botellas de 200, 400, 600, 800 y 1000 mililitros, y cuyo fabricante es ST Agnes Brewing Company té vivo la fantástica, se evidenció que la actual dirección del fabricante no corresponde con la suministrada ante el Invima al momento de solicitar el Registro Sanitario.

d) Para el Registro Sanitario RSA-005012-2017 correspondiente al alimento “Bebida con té verde y negro diferentes variedades”, que incluye la marca “Kogui kombucha” en presentación comercial de 250 a 1000 mililitros, y cuyo fabricante es el establecimiento de comercio Koghi Products, se evidenció que en el proceso de fabricación del alimento se estaba llevando a cabo fermentación alcohólica, no autorizada.

e) El Registro Sanitario RSA-0007265-2018 correspondiente al alimento “bebida a base de agua y té”, que incluye la marca “Coordenada 0” en presentación comercial de frasco de vidrio de 10 hasta 10000 mililitros, y cuyo fabricante es Coordenada 0 SAS, se encuentra suspendido.

f) Para la Notificación Sanitaria NSA-005392-2018 correspondiente al alimento “Infusiones de té diferentes variedades”, que incluye la marca “Yogi” en presentación comercial bolsas de té y cuyo fabricante es “East West Tea Company” (Estados Unidos) e importado a Colombia por Green Tradings S.A.S., se evidenció que la dirección suministrada ante el Invima por el importador corresponde a un domicilio del cual se desconoce el tipo de actividad comercial allí realizada.

2. Respecto a la vigilancia de la publicidad en diferentes medios, el Invima identificó que en algunas páginas de internet se promocionan alimentos que utilizan la expresión Kombucha, declarando propiedades en salud; preventivas, curativas y/o terapéuticas, lo que conlleva al incumplimiento de la legislación sanitaria vigente (artículos 272 y 274 de la ley 9 de 1979 y la resolución 5109 de 2005 – artículos 4 y 5). Se enlistan algunas de las páginas de internet en donde se ha identificado este tipo de publicidad:

a. https://fitfoodmarket.co/tienda/bebidas-y-tes/happy-kombucha/

b. https://moncielvidasana.com/kombucha-kefir-y-fermentos/132-104-kombucha-la-fantastica210mL.htmL

c. https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.co/MCO-483957130-yogi-tea-kombucha-te-verde-16-ea- _JM?quantity=1#position=10&type=item&tracking_id=fd88e642-a51c-463d-bc5e-dad3c8e721dc

d. https://www.instagram.com/kombuchalafantastica/?hl=es-la

e. https://www.instagram.com/koguikombucha/?hl=es-la

f. https://happykombuchalab.com/

g. https://www.instagram.com/ok_kombucha/

h. https://www.facebook.com/OKKombucha.ca/

i. https://kombuchalafantastica.com/

j. https://www.alivekombucha.co/

k. https://www.instagram.com/bvida.kombucha/?hl=es-la

l. https://www.instagram.com/tevivokombucha/?hl=es-la

m. https://www.instagram.com/guarapakombucha/?hl=es-la

n. https://www.instagram.com/aborigenkombucha/?hl=es-la

o. https://es-la.facebook.com/kombucha0/

De acuerdo con lo descrito anteriormente, el Invima advierte que los productos relacionados no cumplen con la normatividad sanitaria y por lo tanto no están autorizados para su comercialización, razón por la cual, se están adelantando las actuaciones administrativas para verificar las condiciones de los registros sanitarios y las declaraciones de los ingredientes de cada uno de los productos. Medidas para la comunidad en general Considerando lo anterior, tenga en cuenta los siguientes aspectos: 1. Absténgase de adquirir y consumir los alimentos que listen o hagan alusión a las expresiones “Kombucha” o “SCOBY”, u otros que existan en el mercado, tengan o no Registro Sanitario, y que utilicen en su rótulo palabras asociadas a las expresiones anteriormente descritas. 2. Informe de manera inmediata al Invima, o a las Entidades Territoriales de Salud, si tiene conocimiento de lugares donde se elaboren, distribuyan o comercialicen alimentos que listen dentro de sus ingredientes “SCOBY” o que declaren en su denominación la expresión “Kombucha”.

Medidas para secretarías de salud departamentales, distritales y municipales Categoría Especial, I, II y III:

1. Realizar las actividades de inspección, vigilancia y control (IVC) en los establecimientos donde potencialmente puedan comercializarse los alimentos citados, verificando la existencia de productos que declaren las expresiones “SCOBY” y/o “Kombucha” en su rotulado o etiquetado.

2. Durante las actividades de Inspección, Vigilancia y Control (IVC) verificar si existe publicidad de alimentos que incluyan las expresiones “SCOBY” y/o “Kombucha” y su relación con propiedades en salud; preventivas, curativas y/o terapéuticas.

3. Comunicar al Invima los resultados de las acciones de Inspección, Vigilancia y Control (IVC) a los correos alertasalimentos@invima.gov.co y contactoets@invima.gov.co, en caso de evidenciar uno o más de los incumplimientos referidos. Si desea obtener mayor información comuníquese con el Invima a: alertasalimentos@invima.gov.co o al teléfono 294 8700, extensiones 3844 y 3846 – Dirección de Alimentos y Bebidas. Igualmente se podrán realizar peticiones, quejas, reclamos, denuncias o sugerencias: https://www.invima.gov.co/peticiones-quejas-reclamos-y-sugerencias Consultar registros sanitarios: http://consultaregistro.invima.gov.co:8082/Consultas/consultas/consreg_encabcum.jsp En los siguientes enlaces podrá acceder directamente a la información de su interés en la página web del Invima. Realizar peticiones, quejas, reclamos, denuncias o sugerencias Consultar registros sanitarios Realizar reportes en línea de eventos adversos  Farmacovigilancia Reactivovigilancia Tecnovigilancia

 

HEALTH ALERT Food and Beverage Department Alert No. 024-2020

Foods that are marketed  with the expression “Kombucha”

Product name: Foods that are marketed with the expression “Kombucha”

Sanitary record: RSAV15I10313 / RSA-004946-2017 / RSA- 006687-2018 / RSA-005012-2017 / RSA-0007265-2018 / NSA-005392-2018

Source of alert: Complaints and actions of inspection, surveillance and control (IVC) No. Internal identification: AA200101

Description of the case The National Institute of Food and Drug Surveillance (Invima) informs the community that, according to the inspection, surveillance and control powers, irregularities have been detected in relation to the following food declaration: Kombucha is a beverage made from sweetened and fermented tea using a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts (SCOBY). In the market some drinks have been found that use the “SCOBY” as an ingredient. To which different health properties are attributed, according to bibliographic references. It should be noted that the “SCOBY” is an ingredient that has not been authorized by the Invima for use in food and beverages. Bogotá, February 19, 2020 Marks “ok kombucha”, “Alino”, “HAPPY”, “La fantastic”, “Kogui kombucha”, “Coordinate 0” and “Yogi”

By the above the Invima is allowed to inform the general population that the foods that are sold in Colombia and that contain the expression kombucha, present the following sanitary situation:

1. In relation to the authorization to commercialize foods to which the Invima granted them Sanitary Registry or Sanitary Notification, and that they are using the ingredient “SCOBY” within their composition or are making use of the expression “Kombucha”, the Invima makes clear of the following:

a) For the Sanitary Registry RSAV15I10313 corresponding to the food “drink with different varieties of tea ”, which includes the brands“ ok kombucha ”,“ alino ”, in commercial presentation box for 6, 12 and 24 units of 250, 330, 500 and 1000 milliliters, and whose factory before Cohen Leiderman Flora owns the ok kombucha trade establishment, through Inspection, Surveillance and Control actions it was evidenced that the manufacturer uses “Kombucha probiotic culture”, which is not approved in the Sanitary Registry, as well as the breach of the labeling and advertising of the beverage with tea varieties, Kombucha brand.

b) For the Sanitary Registry RSA-004946-2017 corresponding to the food “drink with tea different varieties”, which includes the brand “HAPPY” in commercial presentation bottles (PET or glass) of 120, 180, 200, 250, 320, 350 , 500, 750, 1000 and 3780 milliliters, and whose manufacturer is Drink With Purpose SAS, it was evidenced that alcoholic fermentation was obtained in the food manufacturing process obtained by adding “SCOBY” as an ingredient and, additionally, the labeling of the food refers to the expression “kombucha”.

c) For the Sanitary Registry RSA-006687-2018 corresponding to the food “drink with tea”, which includes the brand “The fantastic” in commercial presentation bottles of 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 milliliters, and whose manufacturer is ST Agnes Brewing Company live the fantastic, it was evident that the current address of the manufacturer does not correspond to that supplied before the Invima at the time of requesting the Sanitary Registry.

d) For the Sanitary Registry RSA-005012-2017 corresponding to the food “Drink with green and black tea different varieties”, which includes the brand “Kogui kombucha” in commercial presentation of 250 to 1000 milliliters, and whose manufacturer is the establishment of commerce Koghi Products, it was evidenced that in the process of manufacturing the food alcoholic fermentation was taking place, not authorized.

e) The Sanitary Registry RSA-0007265-2018 corresponding to the food “drink based on water and tea”, which includes the brand “Coordinate 0” in commercial presentation of glass jar of 10 up to 10,000 milliliters, and whose manufacturer is Coordinate 0 SAS, is suspended.

f) For the Sanitary Notification NSA-005392-2018 corresponding to the food “Tea infusions different varieties”, which includes the brand “Yogi” in commercial presentation of tea bags and whose manufacturer is “East West Tea Company” (United States) and Imported to Colombia by Green Tradings SAS, it was evidenced that the address supplied to the Invima by the importer corresponds to a domicile whose type of commercial activity is unknown.

2. Regarding the surveillance of advertising in different media, Invima identified that in some websites, foods that use the expression Kombucha are promoted, declaring health properties; preventive, curative and / or therapeutic, which leads to non-compliance with current health legislation (articles 272 and 274 of law 9 of 1979 and resolution 5109 of 2005 – articles 4 and 5). Some of the websites where this type of advertising has been identified are listed:

a. https://fitfoodmarket.co/tienda/bebidas-y-tes/happy-kombucha/

b. https://moncielvidasana.com/kombucha-kefir-y-fermentos/132-104-kombucha-la-fantastica210mL.htmL

c. https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.co/MCO-483957130-yogi-tea-kombucha-te-verde-16-ea- _JM? quantity = 1 # position = 10 & type = item & tracking_id = fd88e642-a51c-463d-bc5e- dad3c8e721dc

d. https://www.instagram.com/kombuchalafantastica/?hl=en-la

e. https://www.instagram.com/koguikombucha/?hl=en-la

f. https://happykombuchalab.com/

g. https://www.instagram.com/ok_kombucha/

h. https://www.facebook.com/OKKombucha.ca/

i. https://kombuchalafantastica.com/

j. https://www.alivekombucha.co/

k. https://www.instagram.com/bvida.kombucha/?hl=en-la

l. https://www.instagram.com/tevivokombucha/?hl=en-la

m. https://www.instagram.com/guarapakombucha/?hl=en-la

n. https://www.instagram.com/aborigenkombucha/?hl=en-la

or. https://es-la.facebook.com/kombucha0/

As described above, Invima warns that the related products do not comply with sanitary regulations and therefore are not authorized for marketing, which is why, administrative actions are being carried out to verify the conditions of the sanitary records and the declarations of the ingredients of each of the products.

Measures for the community in general considering the above, consider the following aspects:

1. Refrain from acquiring and consuming the foods you listen to or make reference to the expressions “Kombucha” or “SCOBY”, or others that exist in the market, whether or not they have a Sanitary Registry, and that use words associated with the expressions described above on their label.

2. Immediately inform Invima, or the Territorial Health Entities, if you are aware of places where food is prepared, distributed or marketed within the “SCOBY” ingredients or that declares the expression “Kombucha” in its name.

Measures for departmental, district and municipal health secretariats Special Category, I, II and III:

1. Carry out inspection, surveillance and control (IVC) activities in establishments where the aforementioned foods can potentially be marketed, verifying the existence of products that declare the expressions “SCOBY” and / or “Kombucha” in their labeling or labeling.

2. During the Inspection, Surveillance and Control (IVC) activities, verify whether there is food advertising that includes the expressions “SCOBY” and / or “Kombucha” and its relation to health properties; preventive, curative and / or therapeutic.

3. Communicate to Invima the results of the Inspection, Surveillance and Control (IVC) actions to the emails alertsalimentos@invima.gov.co and contactoets@invima.gov.co, in case of evidencing one or more of the aforementioned breaches. If you would like more information, please contact the Invima at: alertsalimentos@invima.gov.co or by phone 294 8700, extensions 3844 and 3846 – Food and Beverage Department. Likewise, requests, complaints, claims, complaints or suggestions may be made: https://www.invima.gov.co/pecionales-quejas-reclamos-y-sugerencia Consult health records: http://consultaregistro.invima.gov.co : 8082 / Queries / consultations / consreg_encabcum.jsp In the following links you can directly access the information of your interest on the Invima website. Make requests, complaints, claims, complaints or suggestions Consult health records Make online reports of adverse events  Pharmacovigilance Reagent Surveillance Tecnovigilancia

 

Michigan, despite previously stating that kombucha was not covered by its bottle bill laws, has now determined that kombucha is a non-alcoholic, carbonated beverage and is subject to the bottle bill laws. Pursuant to a press release issued by the Michigan Dept. of Treasury, companies have until May 1, 2020, to get in compliance. After that, retailers must collect deposits and kombucha containers not marked with deposit information would be considered non-compliant.

The Department is cognizant that retailers and manufacturers may have relied upon its previous informal guidance that kombucha products were not subject to the bottle deposit law. Accordingly, retailers and manufacturers must begin complying with the Department’s determination no later than May 1, 2020. After that date, all parties in the distribution chain must begin collecting and refunding deposits on kombucha containers, as they do for other nonalcoholic carbonated beverages, and kombucha containers that are not marked with the required deposit information may not validly be sold in the state.

You can read the full notice here.

FAQ’s

Where can I find information about proper labeling of beverage containers?”

‘MCL Section 445.572(7) states: “Each beverage container sold or offered for sale by a dealer within this state shall clearly indicate by embossing or by a stamp, a label, or other method securely affixed to the beverage container, the refund value of the container and the name of this state.” For more information, contact Mr. Kenneth Wozniak, Michigan Liquor Control Commission, at 517-322-5900 or 517-322-1140.’

MICHIGAN BOTTLE DEPOSIT LAW FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Proposition 65?

The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act was approved by California voters in 1986 and is known today as Proposition 65 and requires the State of California to publish a list of chemicals and substances known to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm. Proposition 65 is administered by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). OEHHA has listed over 900 chemicals, including naturally occurring and synthetic chemicals present in foods, beverages, pesticides, commonly used household products and personal care products, and more. Proposition 65 is a right-to-know statute; it does not prohibit businesses from selling anything in California. Rather, it requires businesses to provide a “clear and reasonable” warning to Californians before knowingly and intentionally exposing them to a listed chemical or substance. A warning must be given for listed chemicals and substances unless exposure is low enough to pose no significant risk of cancer, or is significantly below levels observed to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Proposition 65 And Alcoholic Beverages

OEHHA listed alcohol under Proposition 65 over two decades ago, first listing “ethyl alcohol in alcoholic beverages” as a reproductive toxicant in 1987, then “alcoholic beverages when associated with alcohol abuse” as a carcinogen in 1988, and most recently, “alcoholic beverages” as a carcinogen in 2011.

Safe Harbor Levels

For chemicals listed as carcinogens, the “no significant risk level” (NSRL) is defined as the level of exposure that would result in not more than one excess case of cancer in 100,000 people exposed to the chemical over a 70-year lifetime. For chemicals listed as reproductive toxicants, the “no observable effect level” is determined by identifying the level of exposure that has been shown to not pose any harm to humans or laboratory animals. This number is then divided by 1,000 to establish the “maximum allowable dose level” (MADL). OEHHA has established NSRLs and MADLs known as “safe harbors” for some, but not all, of the listed chemicals. If your product contains a Proposition 65 listed chemical at levels below the established safe harbors, you do not need to provide a warning.

No Safe Harbor Guidance For Alchohol

OEHHA has not established safe harbors for any of the Proposition 65 alcohol listings. Businesses that expose individuals to a Proposition 65 listed chemical that does not have an established safe harbor must either provide a Proposition 65 warning or must show that the exposure level will not pose a significant risk of cancer or reproductive harm. Determining the anticipated exposure level is not a simple endeavor and often requires an expensive scientific exposure assessment.

How to Warn

Although most manufacturers may apply Proposition 65 warnings directly to product labels, this is not the case for alcoholic beverages. Why? All alcoholic beverage labels must be approved by the Federal Alcohol & Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and contain the federal warning on the products. The federal warning is not the same as—and is not compliant with—the Proposition 65 warning requirements and thus does not provide a safe harbor under California law. The above warning does not apply to non-alcoholic beverages. For retail sales of alcoholic beverages in stores, businesses may warn by (1) posting the above warning on an 8 ½ x 11-inch sign in at least 22-point font, placed at eye level so it is conspicuous to customers upon entering the area where alcoholic beverages are sold, or by (2) posting the above warning on a 5 x 5-inch sign in at least 20-point font, placed at each retail point of sale or display so it is conspicuous to customers. For alcohol provided for consumption on-premises, or sold over-the-counter, the above warning language must be provided on the drink menu. For alcohol sold or distributed within California through delivery services, a warning must be placed on or in the shipping container/delivery package, in a font at least as big as the rest of the text on the package

Proposition 65 and Non-Alcoholic Beverages

While Proposition 65 is nothing new for the alcoholic beverage industry, Proposition 65 private enforcers have recently targeted traditionally non-alcoholic products based on the alcohol-related Proposition 65 chemicals. Several kombucha retailers and manufacturers have recently been served with notices of violation based on alleged exposure to “ethyl alcohol in alcoholic beverages” and “alcoholic beverages.” In many cases, kombucha is not produced or marketed as an alcoholic beverage, but trace amounts of alcohol may result from the fermentation process, none of which are knowingly or intentionally added to the product before sale. Proposition 65 does not define an alcoholic beverage. Rather, it is defined in the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act as containing 0.5% alcohol by volume or more. See CA Bus. & Prof. Code § 23004. It is yet to be seen how the plaintiffs’ bar will attempt to tie the 0.5% ABV definition to Proposition 65, a potential safe harbor level, or the risk of cancer or reproductive toxicity. In the meantime, it is important to have a comprehensive compliance program in place with regular product testing.

Have you received a Prop 65 Notice? Email info@kombuchabrewers.org for guidance & support (membership not required)

References

https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov/products/alcoholic-beverages

Proposition 65 and Alcohol

image of the capitol bldg in washington dc

Our next Capitol Hill Climb to support the KOMBUCHA Act is NEXT WEEK. This is a unique networking opportunity for ANY USA based Kombucha brewers to not only exercise their rights as US citizens but also to share quality time with fellow brewers. Here are all of the great things we do on our biannual Hill Climbs!

  • Network with fellow brewers and save money by sharing accommodations in the KBI Airbnb
  • Learn the ropes of lobbying with experienced brewers
  • Advocate for your industry
  • Create valuable relationship building skills with lawmakers
  • Join us in Washington DC on 9/25
  • Airbnb House 9/24-9/26 (leave morning of 9/26)
  • Dinner 9/24 & post lobbying meetup at The Dubliner 9/25, leave the morning of 9/26
  • Specifically looking for companies from Maine, Indiana, Montana, South Carolina, Florida and anyone who is close enough to drive in from New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Vermont, New Hampshire, or any other eastern seaboard state to join us –
  • ** NON KBI MEMBERS also welcome to join us – We fight for your rights too!

More information about the KOMBUCHA Act and our lobbying efforts can be found on our website.  

 If you are available to join us, please contact KBI at info@kombuchabrewers.org to receive updated information as it becomes available. 

We are booking an Airbnb that will be located near the Congressional offices, so please let us asap then if you would like to stay with us. The final cost is a LOT less expensive than renting a hotel room and allows all of us to share space, break bread and have fun!

***UPDATE***

We had a productive Hill Climb in DC! We had nine brands from six different states gathered in Washington DC to exercise their rights and educate lawmakers about the KOMBUCHA Act. We attended a total of 19 meetings with members of the Senate Finance Committee, House Ways & Means Committee as well as with Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Stay tuned to your email box as we will be asking Kombucha brewers across the nation to sign letters exhorting their Congresspeople & Senators to support our legislation. If you’d like to volunteer to be the lead member in your state or district, please email info@kombuchabrewers.org for more details.

Check out our lobbying resources here. KBI Members can view lobbying training videos and learn more about the Act here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks again to:

BABA’s Brew, Olga Sorzano, PA

Craft Kombucha, Tanya Mangiyo, DC

Friend of Kombucha, Marian Flaxman, DC

GT’s Kombucha, Rick Martin, CA

Health-Ade, Amelia Winslow, CA

Hex Ferments, Shane Carpenter, MD

High Country, Shane Dickman, CO

Katboocha, Kat Schwartz, NY

Pilot Kombucha, Alex Ingalls, NY

 

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On Tuesday, March 15, KBI President Hannah Crum, Operations Administrator Morgan Meredith and several KBI member brewers met with representatives from Congress. Since Congress was in session, many sent staff aides and legislative assistants to meet with the group.

After the meeting, all of the members met individually or in small groups with legislative aides to share samples, educate about our industry and discuss regulatory concerns with the goal of uncovering potential solutions. They also discussed ways in which the industry can generate additional kombucha commerce in their states.

The breweries represented include: Aqua ViTea, Capital Kombucha, Barefoot Bucha, Sole Kombucha, Buchi, Health-Ade, and Holy Kombucha.

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As an additional highlight, Mike from Buchi Kombucha played live music in the hall in order to generate more interest in our meeting and bring more people into the room!

The legislative assistants listened intently to our concerns and offered helpful feedback for KBI’s future endeavors. Here are some of the ways members and non-member Kombucha companies can find additional resources:

-Contact each state regarding its own Value Added Producer grants for brewers

-Contact agriculture coalitions and boards in your state

In discussing strategies to create legislation to protect the industry, it was recommend that we:

-Connect with more brewery associations

-Connect with Congress members who sponsored the Cider Act

We are delighted to have taken this next step, and are already planning a more formal gathering for Congress members in September, coinciding with Natural Products Expo East.

Want to be more involved? Contact Morgan to find out how you can assist with government outreach.

We grow together!

Kombucha is a complex, living product with an enormous range of styles and flavors that delight the senses and enliven the body. Mixed with juice, spices or brewed with other beverages; it is most often consumed raw but can also be filtered, force carbonated or in some cases pasteurized; and it can be fermented with a variety of substrates yielding new and exotic combinations. This amazing diversity of expression is part of the mystique of kombucha but also presents difficulty when testing for ethanol due to its inherent biodiversity and complexity, as well as the wide spectrum of serving possibilities.

Kombucha companies currently rely on individual labs to test for ethanol. The KBI Special Projects Team (sub-committee of LGO) contacted over a dozen labs with experience working with kombucha and discovered that each lab has its own method for testing for ethanol. Three main methods are being utilized for testing ethanol in kombucha – alcolyzer (refraction), densitometry and gas chromatography. Moreover, each lab will apply their own tweaks and adjustments to the process in order to account for kombucha’s unique characteristics. The inconsistency in methodology is concerning because kombucha has so many quirks that need to be accounted for and numerous decisions in the testing process can have a significant effect on the final result. With so many changing the methods ever so slightly, it is little wonder that consistent results are simply not achievable.

Oftentimes, the sample is simply run through a beer alcolyzer system designed to effortlessly detect the much higher, and therefore easier to measure, levels of ethanol. Kombucha, being far more complex than beer, contains organic acids, fermented sugars, and live culture strands that are simply not present in most commercial beers. Moreover, the unique kombucha culture is a symbiosis and the bacteria consume the ethanol created by the yeast into organic acids that may have a similar density to ethanol thereby creating false positives.

Just a handful of labs are currently using more sophisticated techniques, like headspace gas chromatography to suss out the nuances. This method shows a lot of promise as it opts to use far lower detection limits than is recommended in the AOAC method for testing beer, consistent with the lower levels of ethanol observed in kombucha. Another difference in sample handling is to not centrifuge it to avoid adulterating the analyte.

Still others utilize AOAC 983.13 method for testing wine that relies on centrifuging the kombucha sample to remove the high levels of sediment present in kombucha and then later factors in the removed sediment into the final mass percentage.  This method shows similar results to the modified 984.14 method, and shows promise when adjusted for kombucha’s low detection levels. What is abundantly clear, however,  is that there is no consensus available for the appropriate method to use when testing kombucha.

In one lab, the same bottle of kombucha was tested using the beer alcolyzer and a modified AOAC 984.14 method for testing beer. The beer alcolyzer system claimed that the kombucha contained levels of ethanol higher than 0.5%, the level above which a beverage must be marketed as alcoholic. When analyzed using the modified AOAC method, a gas chromatography method, the kombucha was tested to be well under 0.5% ethanol. Because the limit for alcohol content in non-alcoholic kombucha is so low at 0.5%, it is imperative that the testing is done accurately and precisely. When an unmarked bottle of Bud Light was tested, both the beer alcolyzer system and the gas chromatography method were highly precise, possibly because its higher alcohol content is easier to detect with higher detection limits.

The lack of consistency is evident even at the same lab. The same samples were sent with different labels to a lab and the test results for the exact same samples had a variance of +/- 1% ABV – that’s more than double the legal limit! So, how do we all get on the same page and find an accurate, repeatable, consistent test for ethanol in kombucha? Collaboration, of course! We are symbiotic after all.

The kombucha industry is reaching out to collaborate with the most educated body of scientists to establish a new testing standard for ethanol in kombucha. By partnering with AOAC, KBI participates in an ethical, scientific process for creating testing methods. Moreover, the TTB, FDA and other government, non-profit, academic and others will work together and decide through consensus on the appropriate method for accurate, consistent and repeatable results. The lack of definitive research in this field has frustrated kombucha brewers who are taking measures to brew compliant products and regulatory agencies. Working with industry experts, KBI hopes to reach a universal truth for testing kombucha to better serve and inform consumers.

  KBI Logo Square

What is a HACCP Plan?

A Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points or HACCP Plan is a systematic approach to the identification, evaluation, and control of food safety hazards (biological, chemical, and physical) throughout the production process to prevent the risk of foodborne illness or other safety concerns. HACCP is based on the following seven key activities:

  • Conduct a hazard analysis
  • Determine critical control points (CCP)
  • Establish critical limits
  • Establish a monitoring system
  • Establish a procedure for corrective action for use when monitoring a CCP indicates a deviation from an established critical limit
  • Establish procedures for verification to confirm the effectiveness of the HACCP Plan
  • Establish documentation concerning all procedures and records appropriate to these activities and their applications

haccp_hazard

Which industries require it?

HACCP should be used in conjunction with other food protection programs and is mandatory for meat & poultry (USDA), seafood (FDA), and juice (FDA), and voluntary for all other food and beverage industries. Now that FSMA is being enforced for every size business, KBI highly recommends that all commercial Kombucha brewers have a HACCP Plan in place.

Why does KBI recommend it?

KBI’s newly established Best Practices list having an HACCP Plan in place as an important action item for commercial Kombucha brewers. These Best Practices have been voted into place by KBI’s own member organizations, which represent the majority views of some of the world’s leading Kombucha producers.

Furthermore, products produced by the Kombucha industry are often raw (unpasteurized) and are consumed by people around the world primarily for their health benefits.  Therefore, it is in the best interest of public health to take as many precautionary measures as possible to produce healthful, safe beverages which meet established food safety standards. As this rapidly growing industry continues to expand, we feel that it is important to operate our brewing companies with integrity, safety, and quality in mind, while also keeping in mind the extra layer of protection a HACCP Plan can offer the public.

In addition, when local, state, and/or federal inspections occur, an established HACCP Plan highlights the company’s efforts to produce safe products and demonstrates/documents all of the key elements required.  HACCP Plans also make it much easier to communicate with inspectors who may not be familiar with Kombucha products and/or the Kombucha industry as a whole.

haccp funnel

How do I develop an HACCP Plan?

Developing an HACCP Plan can be very time consuming and rigorous . Fortunately, KBI has developed a hazard analysis template, which is available to brewery members at a discounted price (it is also available to non-members). 

Not a KBI member yet?

Whether you’re just starting out or already have an established Kombucha company, we invite you to join KBI to take advantage of our many member’s only resources and benefits, including the HACCP Plan template mentioned above. To learn more about our member benefits, to view our membership requirements or to join KBI, please click here.

 

Updated: May 2022