Hangovers now count as an illness, rules German court
If you have ever gotten into an argument with your boss about how a sick leave is totally warranted after a night of heavy weekday drinking, don't worry, a German court is here to back you up. In a bizarre judgment, the state court in Frankfurt on Monday ruled that hangovers are an "illness." Here are more details.
Court was hearing case against a company's 'anti-hangover drink'
The Frankfurt court delivered the verdict while hearing a case against food supplement distributor for selling an "anti-hangover drink." It was said the distributor's "shots" and drink powders to mix with water were making illegal health claims, according to Agence France-Presse. Reportedly, the firm violated a ban on ascribing the ability to prevent, treat or heal illnesses on food products.
Court defined 'illness' as 'small/temporary disruptions to normal body activity'
The court ruled, "Information about a food product cannot ascribe any properties for preventing, treating or healing a human illness or give the impression of such a property," It added, "By illness, one should understand even small or temporary disruptions to the normal state or normal activity of the body." These "disruptions" included tiredness, nausea, and headaches the firm's anti-hangover products claimed to fix.
Verdict comes days after Oktoberfest began
Associated Press reported that the court rejected an appeal against a similar verdict delivered by a lower court. Interestingly, the judgment comes on the heels of the annual beer-soaked festival, Oktoberfest, in Munich. During the 16-18 day fest, revelers fill the streets of Munich wearing the traditional dirndl and lederhosen and large quantities of beer is consumed. The festival ends on October 6.
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