Non-alcoholic beverages can't be sold as gin, EU court rules

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The name 'gin' is reserved solely for alcoholic beverages, the European Court of Justice ruled on Thursday.

The case was brought by Verband Sozialer Wettbewerb, a German association against unfair competition, targeting PB Vi Goods, which sold a drink called "Virgin Gin Alkoholfrei".

The German court handling the case referred it to the European Court of Justice for a ruling.

Under EU law, gin must be made by flavoring ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin with juniper berries and have a minimum alcohol content of 37.5%.

The court said the prohibition protects consumers from confusion and ensures fair competition among gin producers.

"The fact that the legal name 'gin' is accompanied by the term 'non-alcoholic' is irrelevant in that regard," the court added.

PB Vi Goods did not immediately reply to an emailed request for comment.

(Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout; Editing by Jan Harvey)