Yes, Absinthe is legal in France, but its production, sale, and consumption are tightly controlled under national and EU regulations. Thujone limits, licensing requirements, and historical restrictions ensure compliance with health and safety standards.
Key Regulations for Absinthe in France
- Thujone Content: Maximum 10 mg/kg of thujone in finished products, per EU Regulation 88/388/EEC, aligning with France’s Décret n°2014-1570 on spirit composition.
- Licensing & Production: Distilleries must obtain authorization from the Direction Générale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Répression des Fraudes (DGCCRF) and adhere to Code de la Santé Publique (Article L. 3353-3).
- Labeling & Marketing: Mandatory warnings (e.g., “À consommer avec modération”) and prohibition of health claims under Règlement (UE) 2019/787 on spirit drinks.
Post-2020, France’s alignment with EU harmonized rules eliminated prior bans on absinthe’s sale, though local prefectures retain discretionary enforcement powers. The Agence Nationale de Sécurité Sanitaire (ANSES) monitors compliance, particularly for artisanal producers exceeding thujone thresholds. Imported absinthe must comply with Règlement (UE) 2019/787, including botanical sourcing documentation.
Violations trigger penalties under Article L. 3353-4 of the Code de la Santé Publique, ranging from fines to seizure of non-compliant stock. Producers should verify thujone levels via accredited laboratories (e.g., Laboratoire National de Métrologie et d’Essais) to avoid enforcement actions.