What is the difference between alcohol free and 0.0%?

Alcohol-free or 0.0%? - What does that really mean?

Many people wonder what exactly the difference is between "non-alcoholic" and "0.0%" in drinks. Here we clear up the confusion and explain the exact definitions according to German food law. Learn more about POLLY, our innovative non-alcoholic alternative to spirits, and how you can enjoy your favorite drink without hard liquor.

The difference between "alcohol-free" and 0.0% - Now it gets complicated

The term "alcohol-free" is often equated with "no alcohol," but there is a subtle but important difference. According to German food law, they are not synonyms. Here is the clear demarcation:

• Non-alcoholic : A drink may contain up to 0.5 percent alcohol by volume.
• 0.0% or “without alcohol” : A drink should guarantee that it does not contain alcohol, i.e. 0.0 percent by volume.

But now things get complicated! Even for products marked “0.0%” or “without alcohol”, German food law allows a minimum residual alcohol content of up to 0.03 percent by volume.

So it's important to know that even the "0.0%" claim is no guarantee of a 100% alcohol-free drink . Pretty confusing. But there is an explanation for this.

Why is there this difference?

The explanation lies in the natural fermentation processes involved in the production of food. Some products, such as apple and grape juice, kefir, kombucha and ripe bananas or sourdough bread, contain small amounts of alcohol. Even with baked goods, it is not uncommon for them to contain some alcohol. However, German food law only requires clear labeling as an alcoholic beverage if the alcohol content is 1.2% or more. Your fresh orange juice may contain 0.6% alcohol.

It is therefore important for you to know: POLLY products are always alcohol-free by law and therefore contain less than 0.5% alcohol.

POLLY: The subtle difference

The fact that POLLY products are “only” alcohol-free is due to the manufacturing process in which we also use real distillates for our products. These are carefully distilled in a vacuum using a complex process. This is noticeable in the taste and special intensity of our spirit alternatives.

Remember: Our products are not drunk straight. Therefore, the alcohol content of our drinks is reduced even further in the finished mixed drink.

Conclusion: Enjoyment without regrets with POLLY

POLLY stands for certified quality, award-winning taste and the safety of a drink with less than 0.5% alcohol content. Make your favorite cocktails a POLLY and enjoy carefree moments without compromising on taste and without missing anything. Discover the world of POLLY and experience a completely new dimension of non-alcoholic drinks.