Federal authorities crack down on Four Loko

Four Loko, and similar caffeinated adult drinks, have been topic to some controversy. In reaction, federal authorities have labeled such beverages as unsafe. The makers of Four Loko, and other manufacturers of comparable beverages, were warned to change the product. There is no official ban, however it amounts to one. An investigation into caffeine laced alcoholic beverages has been ongoing for over a year.

Already seeing what Four Loko is up to

The Washington Post reports that there has been a federal investigation of caffeinated alcoholic drinks like Four Loko since November 2009. At least 30 companies have products being investigated from them. The attorneys general from numerous states have asked that this investigation go through. However, a string of recent incidents caused federal officials to do something. The FDA sent out letters to four companies including Phusion Projects Inc. (which makes Four Loko) explaining the FDA did not ever approve mixing caffeine and alcohol together. Fifteen days were given to the companies to remove the caffeine from their products. The FDA said legal action would happen if they didn't abide by this.

Stopping what is going on

Washington state banned Four Loko on Friday. This was done because a Central Washington University was admitted to a hospital a couple months ago after having drank Four Loko with some other drinks. The brand new York Times reports that Four Loko has been involved in other incidents too. One night a 20-year-old in Tennessee shot himself committing suicide after drinking Four Loko while an 18-year old drank Four Loko with some diet pills and then died in Florida. The majority are saying Four Loko needs to be permanently banned even though Four Loko might not necessarily been the reason why this incidents happened. The caffeine will no longer be put in these drinks as outlined by a Phusion announcement.

Now you will find bans

Four Loko and similar products were banned by Michigan and Washington state already when New York state is almost there since it is obviously not safe to mix caffeine and alcohol.

Info from

Washington Post

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/17/AR2010111702634.html?hpid=topnews

NY Times

nytimes.com/2010/11/18/us/18drinks.html