A German court has ruled hangovers are an illness, in a judgment against the makers of hangover cure products.

An unnamed company which sells anti-hangover shots and powders was taken to court in Frankfurt and accused of making unlawful claims about its products.

In Germany, the law prohibits food or drink being marketed as able to prevent or treat any health problem.

And any hopes the firm had to escape censure by claiming only to cure hangovers were dashed when the judges decided the after-effects of too much drinking was in fact also a form of illness.

“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,” the ruling said.

Oktoberfests around the Globe Show all 10 1 /10 Oktoberfests around the Globe Oktoberfests around the Globe Reuters Oktoberfests around the Globe Oktoberfest Hannover, Hannover, Germany, September 25–October 11, 2009 To get a feel for what another Oktoberfest is like within Germany, head to the northern state of Lower Saxony. Seven different bakeries and several candy shops set up shop at the Hannover fest, so those with a sweet tooth will certainly be very pleased. Noted to be a very family-friendly event, the rides, games and adventures to be had there are unrivaled. Friday night fireworks displays and a lantern parade keep the good times rolling even after dark. Reuters Oktoberfests around the Globe Oktoberfest USA, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA, September 25-October 3, 2009 La Crosse, home to a large number of German immigrants, has been the proud host of Oktoberfest USA since 1961. In a European spirit, each year an Oktoberfest Royal Family is crowned, which includes the choosing of Miss La Crosse, who can go on to become a candidate for Miss Wisconsin and even Miss America. Parades, family days, a half marathon and daily concerts are some of the highlights. Getty Oktoberfests around the Globe Rocktoberfest Japan, Okinawa, Japan, October 10-11, 2009 The brilliantly named Rocktoberfest is exactly what it implies; one big two-day rock (plus punk and metal) concert, held on Torii Beach on the sub-tropical island of Okinawa. With beer, bands and a beach all wrapped together, this is Oktoberfest – Japanese style! www.ocktoberfest-japan.com Oktoberfests around the Globe Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest, Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, October 9-17, 2009 Known as 'Canada's Greatest Bavarian Festival', this autumn shindig is also a great value according to WestJet, who gave it a 2009 Value Award. Their 'Millions of Monarchs' butterfly exhibit, Berlin art gallery, treasure hunt, and murder mystery train ride sets this party apart from the other ones, and it’s especially good for families with kids who are of pre-beer drinking age. Reuters Oktoberfests around the Globe Oktoberfest Zinzinatti Cincinnati, Ohio has its own version of Munich’s phenomenon, called Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, which gets off to a roaring start with the Gemuetlichkeit Games – a round of German-related competitions. These games themselves would be enough to intrigue any potential visitors, with names like “The Running of the Wieners”, the “Beer Barrel Roll” and the “Beer Stein Race”. Rumored to be North America’s largest Oktoberfest mimic, Zinzinnati has been around since 1976. Getty Oktoberfests around the Globe Oktoberfest Shanghai - Shanghai, China, September 16-26, 2009 The biggest of the Chinese Oktoberfest events, it has an elaborate menu that is an infusion of Asian and German dishes, with a little Hungarian goulash thrown in for extra excitement. And the beer selection is just as wide. In addition, there is even a ladies night, so take advantage of this eastern beer extravaganza girls! www.shanghaioktoberfest.com Oktoberfests around the Globe Oktoberfest, Canberra, Australia, October 30-November 1, 2009 Ladies and gents will need their best Bavarian outfits for this particular German-styled fair, because there are dirndl and lederhosen competitions to be won. A stellar beer stein will also come in handy, with beer stein challenges to test your mettle. And don't miss out on the chance to try out your folk dance skills, or at least watch the pros perform instead. Getty Oktoberfests around the Globe Bierfest, throughout the British Isles, Aberdeen - October 1-2, 2009, London, Oct. 21-23, Glasgow – Oct. 22, Edinburgh – Oct. 23, Dublin – Oct. 30-31, Manchester – Nov. 19-20 A series of Oktoberfest-inspired Bierfests are held across the UK & Ireland, from Dublin to London. These 1-3 day events include typical Bavarian meals, music and entertainment with wenches dressed in dirndl serving out as much beer as you can drink! Reserve your table online. Getty Oktoberfests around the Globe Oktoberfest Blumenau, Blumenau, Brazil, October 1-18, 2009 One of the largest Oktoberfests outside of Germany happens in the unlikely location of Blumenau, a Brazilian city established by Germans in the mid 1800s. This year will see introduction of new beers to sample, as well as a bigger and better beer zone. And they’ll need it too; around one million beer guzzlers are expected this year. Photo: President Lula of Brazil takes a slug Reuters

“By an illness, one should understand even small or temporary disruptions to the normal state or normal activity of the body.”

Those suffering from hangovers often experienced tiredness, nausea and headaches as a result of consuming alcohol, which is a “harmful substance”.

Therefore, hangovers amounted to a form of disruption to the body and are an illness under the law, the court concluded.

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The ruling comes shortly after the world-famous Oktoberfest beer festival began in Munich. Last year the millions of visitors to the festivities consumed about seven million litres of beer.