Lisa stands at the edge of the terrace, a glass in her hand. It's her best friend's 30th birthday, the sun is just setting, and all around her, there's laughter and clinking glasses. In her glass: non-alcoholic sparkling wine. Ever since she found out she was pregnant, she's been strictly avoiding alcohol. Of course. After all, the bottle says "alcohol-free."

But when she later studies the label more closely at home, she pauses. It says: "Contains less than 0.5% vol. alcohol."

Less than 0.5 percent? Sounds like a small amount. But isn't it still... alcohol?

Many women ask themselves this question. And it's a valid one. Because what few people know is that, according to European food law, a beverage can be labelled "alcohol-free" as long as it contains a maximum of 0.5 percent by volume of alcohol – in some countries, such as Italy, even up to 1.2%. This is not an oversight, not a labelling error – it is applicable law.

The terms "alcohol-free" and "non-alcoholic" are not synonymous in food law. In Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, a beverage labeled "alcohol-free" can legally contain up to 0.5% alcohol – in Italy, even up to 1.2%. Only products labeled "0.0%" or "non-alcoholic" guarantee that they truly contain no alcohol – although even here, a minimal tolerance limit of 0.03% applies.

The reason for this regulation lies in the manufacturing process: many non-alcoholic beverages are first produced as alcoholic products, and the alcohol is then removed through so-called de-alcoholisation processes. With current technology, it is not always possible to remove all the alcohol – hence the tolerance limit.

The Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG) explicitly points out that non-alcoholic beverages may contain up to 0.5% residual alcohol. For most people, this is irrelevant. For pregnant women, however, the situation is different.

Alcohol passes through the placenta unhindered. What the mother drinks reaches the unborn child's bloodstream within minutes, at the same concentration. Unlike many other substances, the placenta does not act as a protective barrier in this case.

The crucial difference: The fetus lacks the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, which is responsible for breaking down alcohol in the liver. While the mother's body processes alcohol relatively quickly, the cell toxin circulates in the child's body up to ten times longer. The immature liver of the fetus cannot adequately metabolize alcohol.

The World Health Organization (WHO), the Italian Ministry of Health (Ministero della Salute), the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), and the German Nutrition Society (DGE) all agree: there is no scientifically proven lower limit below which alcohol consumption during pregnancy is considered safe. The official recommendation is therefore: complete abstinence.

Studies show that even small amounts of alcohol – even with infrequent consumption – can increase the risk of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Europe has the highest prevalence rate worldwide: estimates suggest that 1 to 2 percent of the European population is affected by FASD. Population studies from Italy indicate that about 7 to 8 out of 1,000 newborns are born with the full Fetal Alcohol Syndrome – some studies even suggest that 2 to 5 percent of all schoolchildren have a form of FASD. In Germany, around 10,000 children are born each year with alcohol-related developmental disorders.

The tragedy of it all: FASD is 100 percent preventable.

Those who are pregnant and want to act responsibly face a dilemma. On the one hand, they don't want to have to forego anything – especially not the feeling of belonging at special occasions. On the other hand, they don't want to take any unnecessary risks.

The beverage industry recognized this need long ago. Alcohol-free alternatives are booming, and the selection in supermarkets and liquor stores is constantly growing. However, labeling is often misleading. Not every "alcohol-free" product is automatically free of alcohol. And not every woman who consciously opts for an alcohol-free alternative during pregnancy knows that she might still be consuming small amounts of alcohol.

This information gap is astonishing, considering how extensively expectant mothers are educated about diet, exercise, and sleep. However, there is often silence on the topic of residual alcohol in supposedly alcohol-free beverages.

There is a difference between "alcohol-free" and "0.0%", and it's more than just marketing.

Products labeled "0.0%" are either produced without any fermentation process from the outset, or the alcohol is completely removed so that no residual alcohol is detectable.

These beverages are suitable for anyone who cannot or does not want to consume any alcohol at all – not even in trace amounts – for health, religious, or personal reasons.

For pregnant women and anyone who wants to play it safe, this means: A look at the label is not enough. You need to look at the right number.

For a long time, the selection for people who truly sought 0.0% was sobering. Juices, sodas, water – everything sounded more like a children's birthday party than an aperitif among adults. Those who wanted to celebrate stylish occasions without drinking alcohol often felt left out.

Josef Holzner and Florian Lair identified this gap. Josef is a third-generation apple grower from Lana, South Tyrol. More than 15 years ago, his father planted red-fleshed apple varieties – at the time without knowing what they would become. Together with entrepreneur Florian Lair, Josef developed something new from them: Sparkling Rocco, an apple aperitif guaranteed to contain 0.0% alcohol.

The difference from many other non-alcoholic alternatives: Sparkling Rocco is produced without a fermentation process. There is no alcohol that would have to be removed afterwards – and therefore no residual alcohol.

The result is a sparkling drink that tastes fruity and tart and doesn't feel like a compromise. But like a conscious decision.

Being pregnant does not mean giving up on life for nine months. It means taking responsibility – for yourself and for the child growing within you. Taking this responsibility seriously also means making informed decisions.

The decision for a genuine 0.0% is one of them.

Not out of fear. Not out of renunciation. But out of the knowledge that today there are alternatives that allow for both: enjoyment and safety. Celebrating occasions and still being on the safe side. Belonging without having to make compromises.

Because who says that responsibility can't taste good too?