Is it cider if there’s no alcohol ? Or is it a false trade description?

By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law

AJ Halkes
September 2, 2025
6:43 pm

Words have common meanings: beer, wine (and cider) are defined and commonly known.

And for centuries, we have understood what beer or cider or wine is.

Now, if you look up cider, it is “an alcoholic drink made from fermented apple juice”

But apparently, to those who don’t use the English language (in North America?), it is “an unfermented drink made by crushing fruit, typically apples.”

So, in trade, what words are objectively deceptive depends on where you are. Common language in relation to products and their descriptions is being mangled in front of our eyes for business efficacy, and no one seems to care.

I’m not sure slapping a big 0% flag on a can of fizzy apple juice should entitle the maker to print “cider” on the can, no matter how close to it the content is.

When there’s no alcohol in it .. in my book it’s no longer beer, it’s not wine and it’s not cider … though Somersbys seem to disagree!

If you need specific input regarding a strategic Hong Kong challenge or related legal matters in the HKSAR, you can always DM me and check out my profile at https://www.ajhalkes.com

FoodAndBeverage BrandStrategy TradeDescriptions HKBusiness ProductLabeling ConsumerTrust BusinessEthics LegalMatters HongKongFNB MarketingStrategy

Is it cider if there’s no alcohol ? Or is it a false trade description?

By HK Lawyer AJ Halkes Barrister-at-Law

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