Absinthe the Green Fairy

Historical background and legal foundations for the absinthe

The articles in the newspapers are numerous Internet sites devoted to almost countless, and absinth is the noblest bars in London and Prague as a new life-style drink praised. As a drink accursed devil, as a green fairy deified, celebrated in the Val-de-Travers. communica is in this article no further exciting myths Absinthe excavate, but the current situation, identify and to understand them better to be able to provide a historical background.

The origins of absinthe are not secured, as in the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland wiki. May have been the recipe towards the end of the 18th Century in Couvet (NE) by Henriette Henriod invented and developed very quickly into a Europe-wide cult drink consumed out here are not going to. We restrict ourselves to the situation in Switzerland. The literature in the annex provides more information.

A murder brings people and Parliament to take action

On 28 Shot in August 1905 Commugny (VD) Jean Lanfray his wife and children in frenzy. Among other things, he had also drunk absinthe. This event led to the Great Council of the Canton of Vaud on 15 May 1906 a law banning absinthe accepted. Art.1 said: "The retail sales of as" Absinthe "designated liqueur is prohibited. The same applies to any liquor, under any name is an imitation thereof. " The law was unconstitutional as a variety of page views, which a referendum has been scheduled, but confirmed the ban.
After the model was Waadtländer one years later, in the Canton of Geneva the absinthe ban by the voters adopted.

At the federal level, formed in 1906 a federal initiative, the Committee against absinthe. Since in Switzerland it is not possible, the law, but only the constitution by popular initiative to change, had the article in the constitution to be written. The initiative was supported by 167'814 voters signed. On 5 July 1908, all cantons except Geneva and Neuchâtel, the initiative with 241'078 votes to 138'669 against participation in a vote of 49% and on 7 October 1910 was due to the absinthe Law Article 32ter of the Constitution was adopted.

Since 1 January 2000 article of the Constitution to ban absinthe - in the context of the entire revision of the Federal Constitution - be deleted because such "details" is not in the Constitution, but at the legislative level is regulated. The absinthe prohibition remains still in the Food Act and Food Regulation.

Which office is responsible?

The absinthe prohibition is not in the alcohol law, but in the Food Act, which many people never cease to be amazed. Therefore, primarily the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) and the Canton chemist and not the Swiss Alcohol Board (SAB) is responsible. Alcohol administration has with the absinthe ban only to be done, as for the manufacture of absinthe untaxed alcohol is used undnicht licensed burning apparatus used sowiedie SAB Investigation institutions are obliged to inform the competent federal and cantonal authorities to notify them when a counterclaim action against the absinthe prohibition notice .

The definition of Absinthe

Food and beverage of any kind are in the Food Regulation. This applies to pasta as well as for eggs, brandy and lemonade. So also for the absinthe, which is described in Article 433.
The Food Regulation shall be periodically revised.

What exactly is in Act ...

SR1 number 817.0
Federal Law of 9 October 1992 concerning foodstuffs and consumer goods (Food Act, LMG)
Article 11, prohibition of absinthe
The Federal Council determines which beverages as absinthe or absinthe imitation apply.
Article 47 offenses
1d With prison or a fine will be punished who willfully: absinthhaltige drinks or imitation absinthe manufactures, imports, transports, sells, or helps to sell for the purpose of sale purchases or stores;

... And Regulation ...

SR-Number 817.02
Food Regulation of 1 March 1995 (LMV)
40. Chapter: absinthe ban
Art 433

1 Production, import, transport, sale and storage for the purpose of the sale of imitations of absinthe or absinthe is prohibited.

2 As is any drink absinthe, which Thujone and aromatic components of the wormwood herb in combination with other aromatic substances, such as anise, fennel and the like in accordance with anise or fennel smells and diluting with water to drink is dull.

3 The Absinthe of imitations, all with anise, fennel and the like flavored, alcoholic beverages, which:
a. when diluting with 14 volumes of distilled water at 20 ° C turbidity, which after the addition of a further 16 volumes of distilled water at 20 ° C is not completely disappear, or
b. more than 45 percent by volume ethyl alcohol which.

... And additive regulation

SR No. 817.021.22
Regulation on permitted food additives (additive regulation, ZUV)
Annex 4, maximum quantities of certain substances in pleasurable finished flavored foods

Thujone (alpha and beta)
5 mg / kg for beverages with an alcohol content of up to 25 vol%, 10 mg / kg for beverages with an alcohol content of about 25 vol%, 25 mg / kg in food, the sage preparations contain 35 mg / kg in Bitter spirits .

European situation

Directive 88/388/EEC of 22 June 1988 the Council provides for maximum residue levels of certain undesirable substances to the use of flavorings in foods for human consumption must be present. Thus, in alcoholic beverages containing more than 25% vol an Thujongehalt of 10mg/kg to 35mg/kg Bitter spirits allowed.

Thujone foods and flavors may not be added as such to. There must be in food either naturally or as a result of the addition of flavorings prepared from natural raw materials.

The nation refer to this policy, and it is not possible here, a detailed overview of the handling in the various countries to give.

Secret Production - more myth than reality

Despite the ban stopped the clandestine manufacture in Switzerland, never completely. Today, we assume that the production of absinthe in particular in the Jura arc nurmehr low. When circumstantial company inspectors of the Federal Alcohol Administration, however searches.

If suspicion of absinthe production, is a message to the Kantonschemike r made the deal with the case ex officio must accept. If absinthe is produced, then the whole product is illegal, even if the fuel that was used is taxed.

Chemical analysis of SAB in the laboratory show that the clandestine production of the additive in the regulation defined maximum amount of Thujone usually does not exceed. The spirits, however, are illegal because they are called Absinthe and an alcohol content of more than 45 percent.

Under the title "L'absinthe est en vente libre!" West has a Swiss newspaper late last year for a small riot ensured. Some people believed then that the law was changed. This is not so. After the Canton chemists the samples as the law - that is, with values within the tolerance according to food regulation - had confirmed the SAB issued a burn permit for the said distillate.

Wormwood or Absinth

The plant
Artemisia absinthium L. is their Latin name. Artemis is the name of a Greek goddess of hunting, absinthos means unpleasant, so surely the bitter taste of the plant is meant.

Vermouth is a shrub, up one and a half meters high can be. It has hairy stems, silver-green, feathery, hairy leaves and also very small, yellow flower baskets. A shrub up to 10 years old, has an aromatic scent and a bitter taste. Harvested the 50 centimeter-long shoots, which is evident in the air dries.
Wormwood contains bitter substances and essential oil with Thujone. Both drugs stimulate the digestion and reduced appetite. It is especially high in Thujongehalt essential oil, which is toxic, which is why almost all cultural states restrict the use.

Chemical structure of Thujone
There is a distinction between alpha-and beta-Thujone Thujone distinguished. The beta-Thujone is found as the main component in extracts of Artemisia absinthium. Interested in the box find further literature.

Effects on body and soul

An expert who in 1994 due to a nationalrätlichen Motion on behalf of the Swiss Institute for Alcohol and Other Drug Problems (SFA) has been created, draws attention to the dangerous effects of alcohol and absinthe in the central nervous system out.

Although the SAB - as explained above - for just two points in this interaction is responsible, namely the issue of burning permits and for monitoring whether the alcohol has been taxed, you will find the expertise on the homepage of the SAB. We would be delighted if you send us a virtual visit it.