Personal Injury Law

FDA Issues Warning on Alcoholic Energy Drinks; States Move to Ban "Blackout in a Can"

By Kenneth Odza

Note: The following is authored by guest blogger Jake Storms, from the Alcoholic Beverages Law Blog.

Amidst rising incidences of hospitalizations in college and teenage drinkers linked to consumption of alcoholic energy drinks, the Washington State Liquor Control Board banned their sale effective tomorrow, November 18, 2010. The move came on the heels of a request by Washington Governor Christine Gregoire, whose office stated in a November 10 press release that they were '…particularly concerned that these drinks tend to target young people.'

The Liquor Control Board placed the ban in an emergency ruling which will last for 120 days. During that time, the Liquor Control Board will move to make the ban permanent. Liquor Control Board Chairperson Sharon Foster stated, '[t]he Board is acting in the public safety…the Board is acting now to ensure these products do not contribute to a tragedy before the Food and Drug Administration or Legislature can act.' Earlier this year, the Liquor Control Board had lobbied for State legislative action to ban the sale of caffeinated malt beverages in Washington but those efforts were unsuccessful. A list of particular products affected by the Liquor Control Board's ruling can be seen here.

Washington's ban is merely the most recent action in an ever increasing movement by states to control the sale of caffeinated alcoholic beverages. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission Chairman stated in an October press release that, '…alcoholic energy drinks should be removed from the market until further research isdone.' The OLCC also stated that it is currently looking into possible regulatory efforts with the state legislature and is reaching out to community organizations to warn them of the dangers of the beverages.

While California's Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control has not yet made a statement regarding the drinks, Connecticut announced Monday that it had reached agreements with state distributors to voluntarily stop shipments of caffeinated alcoholic beverages starting December 10, 2010. Michigan has banned one particular brand of caffeinated alcoholic beverage, Four Loko. New York has reached an agreement with Phusion Projects LLC, the manufacturer of Four Loko, to stop sales in the state until '…emerging science, regulatory developments or other relevant changes in circumstances arise." Utah and Oklahoma have followed Washington's lead in banning the sale of any brands altogether. Massachusetts' Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission stated that it will file an emergency ruling, similar to Washington's, on Monday, November 22, 2010.

At the federal level, the Food and Drug Administration ('FDA') is currently reviewing whether caffeine is a safe additive to alcoholic beverages. A negative finding would essentially ban the sale of caffeinated alcoholic beverages nationwide. It is widely assumed the FDA will, in fact, reach a negative finding. NY Senator Chuck Schumer, who has been lobbying for a ban on the drinks, stated that the FDA decision '…should be the nail in the coffin of these dangerous and toxic drinks.' The FDA decision is expected within the week.

Full post as published by Food Liability Law Blog on November 17, 2010 (boomark / email).