Why is 0.5% ABV considered “non-alcoholic”?
Beverages labeled “non-alcoholic” can legally contain up to 0.5% alcohol by volume. That’s because such a tiny amount has no noticeable intoxicating effect. For perspective, many everyday foods and drinks—like ripe bananas, orange juice, or even some breads—naturally contain trace levels of alcohol from fermentation, often close to that 0.5% mark.
In other words, “non-alcoholic” doesn’t mean zero alcohol, but rather “so low it’s considered harmless and won’t get you drunk.”