Kombucha tea maker Vibranz returns to Whole Foods with new, lower-alcohol version
THE RETURN: Kombucha maker Vibranz says its fermented tea is back at Whole Foods stores, marking the first return by a kombucha maker to the grocer.
THE REMOVAL: Whole Foods removed all varieties of the trendy tea from stores in mid-June because of concerns over slightly elevated alcohol levels that mean the drink might have to be regulated as alcohol.
THE INVESTIGATION: Federal regulators are testing samples to determine if the drink should be treated like beer or wine. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau plans to come out with new guidelines when testing is complete.
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