German Court Rules That 'Hangover' Is An 'illness'

A German court has ruled that 'hangovers' is an 'illness'. The Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt made the decision in a case against an unnamed company that sold "anti-hangover" products.

The firm was taken to court in Frankfurt after being accused of making illegal health claims about its anti-hangover shots and drinks powders. In its ruling, the court said illnesses included even small or temporary changes to the body's normal state. Food products, including drinks, cannot be marketed as being able to prevent or treat illnesses, it added.  

"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. By an illness, one should understand even small or temporary disruptions to the normal state or normal activity of the body"  the superior regional court's ruling said.

The ruling comes just days after the annual Oktoberfest beer festival kicked off in Munich.