General TTB Requirements
The following general requirements apply to any kombucha that contains 0.5 percent or more alcohol by volume:
- It must be produced on a premises qualified by TTB under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (IRC) (see K16);
- It must comply with the applicable labeling, formula, and tax requirements of the IRC (see K12, K14, and K15); and
- The container must bear the health warning statement required by the Alcoholic Beverage Labeling Act of 1988 (ABLA) (see K11).
If a kombucha is classified as a malt beverage (as defined by the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (FAA Act)), it is also subject to the FAA Act permit, labeling, and advertising requirements (see K13 for more information). For information about testing methods to measure the alcohol content of kombucha, please see K17-20 in the below Kombucha Information and Resources' Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
View the Kombucha Information and Resources section to learn more.
IMPORTANT
TTB regulations on alcohol beverages DO APPLY to any kombucha that has less than 0.5 percent alcohol by volume when bottled BUT the alcohol content increases to 0.5 percent or more alcohol by volume at any point afterwards as a result of continued fermentation in the bottle.
Failure to comply with federal laws and regulations governing the production, bottling, labeling, and distribution of alcohol beverages, including kombucha that contains 0.5 percent or more alcohol by volume, may lead to enforcement actions, such as the assessment of tax, penalties, and interest, in addition to potential civil and criminal penalties.
CONTACT US
Questions? Please contact the Alcohol Labeling and Formulation Division at 202-453-2250 or Toll Free 866-927-ALFD (2533), or by email at Submit an Online Inquiry .