How drinking KOMBUCHA could put drivers over the limit

Motorists are being warned to steer clear of kombucha amid fears it will push them over the limit. 

The popular fizzy drink has taken Australia by storm but drivers should be careful because some bottles have a 1.15 per cent alcohol content. 

Kombucha lovers on their full licence would need to drink a substantial amount of the beverage to put them over but P-platers could cop a penalty for drinking just one bottle before driving.

The popular fizzy drink has taken Australia by storm but drivers should be careful because some bottles have a 1.15 per cent alcohol content 

Kombucha and other drinks such as kefer are made by fermentation, which produces alcohol.

Some bottles only have 0.5 per cent of alcohol but others can contain a much higher percentage.

One brand of the drink, Buchi Kombucha, even had a nationwide recall during 2015 because some bottles were deemed intoxicating, containing up to 3 per cent alcohol. 

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Will Dustin, the managing director for Breathalysers New Zealand told Stuff those who drank kombucha could see the results pop up on a breath test.

'If you are blowing quickly into a breathalyser while it is still in the mouth and throat region, then yes it will register,' Mr Dustin said.

But he said the alcohol at a level as low as one per cent would likely be absorbed by the body in just 20 minutes. 

A series of other unusual products contain alcohol levels which could also see drivers finding themselves in hot water.

Cherry Ripes, toothpaste, Strepsils and even some antibiotics all contain levels of alcohol.

P platers who are caught driving with even the smallest percentage of alcohol, even unwillingly can still expect to cop a penalty (file image)

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