The trace alcohol levels in kombucha led the federal government to warn manufacturers in 2010 that if they exceed an 0.5% alcohol-content level, they would be subject to the same regulations that apply to other alcoholic beverages.

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The Journal makes the point that even if the brands come under the same corporate umbrella, they would need to be careful with pricing so as not to lose share to the slew of other suds brands, not to mention to other alcoholic beverages something that has been happening for quite some time.

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Because of the limits of city authority and exemptions made for other reasons, the ban on supersized beverages doesn't cover alcoholic drinks or many lattes and other milk-based concoctions, and it doesn't apply at supermarkets or many convenience stores including 7-Eleven, home of the Big Gulp.

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For instances, most fermented drinks need to be boiled at some points, which will kill off bacteria, thus living off alcoholic beverages in times of cholera, others for dysentery and other types of water-borne illnesses.

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