As if we didn't have enough problems already!

With alcoholic drinks by themselves, now there are companies marketing alcoholic drinks mixed with caffeine. On Wednesday, November 17, 2010, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warnings letters to four companies that manufacture the drinks saying that caffeine is an "unsafe food additive" to alcoholic beverages. FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg described the combination of alcohol and caffeine as a public health concern and as having the possibility of making persons who drink it "wide-awake drunk."

Students most at risk

Described as a cross between an energy drink and malt liquor, the drinks contain anywhere from six percent (6%) alcohol to twelve percent (12%) alcohol (as much as six beers in some cases) as well as an amount of caffeine equivalent to three cups of coffee. Add to this, these drinks are sold in 16 - ounce and 24 - ounce cans and you can see the potential for a problem.


Currently four states - Michigan, Oklahoma, Utah, and Washington - have outlawed the drinks which also contain taurine, guarana, and/or ginseng which are herbal "mood enhancers". To date these "hybrids" have resulted in the deaths of several college students in Washington State  and caused several others to be hospitalized after basically over-dosing on them at parties. The Sacramento (CA) Examiner raised this question in an article following the decision by the FDA: "Can young people be expected to drink responsibly if presented with what looks like an alcoholic energy drink?" My response to that is that some can, but the vast majority cannot . . .especially when tempted by a beverage that contains so much sugar that it taste more like a regular energy drink or a cola.

What now?

As I mentioned above, the FDA has issued warning letters to: Charge Beverage Corp, New Century Brewing Company, Phusion Projects, LLC, and United Brands Company, Inc. Once these companies receive the letters, they have fifteen (15) days to inform the FDA - in writing - of the specific steps that will be taken to remedy the violation and prevent its recurrence. If, after the 15-days has elapsed, the violation still exists, the FDA can pursue an enforcement action which includes seizure of the product(s)  or an injunction to prevent the firm(s) from continuing to produce the product(s) in question. We can only hope no more lives are lost before that happens!

Until next time . .