Four Loko Hammered by FDA: Is Party Over?

Man passed out with Four Loko in the foreground. (thedrunxter.wordpress.com)

(CBS) The party may be over for Four Loko and several other caffeinated alcoholic drinks.

Wednesday, the FDA sent a terse warning letter to Four Loko's maker, Phusion Projects, LLC., and thee other companies, Charge Beverages Corp., New Century Brewing Co., LLC., and United Brands Company Inc.

The document said that "the caffeine added to their malt alcoholic beverages is an 'unsafe food additive,'" and warned them that "further action, including seizure of their products, is possible under federal law."

The "FDA does not find support for the claim that the addition of caffeine to these alcoholic beverages is 'generally recognized as safe,' which is the legal standard," said Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein, Principal Deputy Commissioner in an FDA press release. "To the contrary, there is evidence that the combinations of caffeine and alcohol in these products pose a public health concern."

Phusion Projects, which has long defended their products as no different than "having coffee after a meal with a couple of glasses of wine," announced on Tuesday they would be removing caffeine from their product line.

It's not clear why the FDA singled out only four companies whose drinks include Core High Gravity HG, Moonshot, Joose and Max. Earlier this year, the FDA sent letters to scores of companies who make more than 40 drinks, asking for proof that their products are safe.

Phusion Projects said they had provided that proof, although it appears not to the government's satisfaction.

And not just the FDA. The Federal Trade Commission also sent a letter to the same four companies warning them that "marketing of such beverages may constitute an unfair or deceptive practice" and they might be violating the law.

If the party is over, here comes the hangover.

23 Photos

Alcoholic Caffeinated Drinks: Good Time or Bad Brews?

[amerilatino]

Great job, FDA, as usual. Outstanding logic to censure folks with common sense and self-control for the wretched excesses of the stupid. I have been imbibing alcohol and caffeine since the age of 16 when I resided in a cultural surrounding where this is normal part and parcel, as have my peers in many like countries. I was taught moderation and self-awareness by my elders and it has stuck with me since. Apparently this notion is anathema to the young American psyche, as excess seems to be the norm about everything here. What's wrong with a couple of rum drinks after a meal on a holiday or long weekend, followed by a cup of strong Arabica coffee and maybe half of a fine Dominican cigar over conversation on a back yard deck, and knowing when to stop?

[rwsmith29456]

An old-fashioned Jack and Coke does exactly the same thing.

[apuan777]

If the government wants to make stupidity illegal, they they need not look much further than themselves.

[rhinoxsis]

There's gonna be a run on the remaining caffeine filled Four Loko. It's gonna be a caffeine fueled malt liquor nightmare in the streets

http://freeloko.com

[watchdogtexas]

What a bunch of garbage from the government. So they take it off the market, then all you have to do is buy a energy drink and add alchohol to it.
If people want to be stupid, it is their right.

[slow7]

I think that the whole thing about banning the drink four loco is just stupid.Im sorry for the loss of the family of the kids that past,but many more have died from alcohol in genral and nobodys on the news trying to ban alcohol.People have been drinking the popular drinks red bull and vodka,moster and vodka, and all other drinks that fit the category.The drink is no diffrent then beer or liquor, you get drunk on either one of them and the whole 12% thing is'nt new, for example MD 20/20 is 13% along with thunder bird,boonze farms, night train that have been sold sense i was a kid and are also in friut flavors that so called appeal more to children as if we alduts don't love fruity flavors wether its candy or an alcoholic bevarge.these people blame it on the mix of caffeine and alcohol but caffeine really has no effect on it,caffeine dos'nt alter your mind, the alcohol does.wether they drank a four loco or just to much beer kids are killed all the time from drinking and people that dont drink are victoms also.I want to know why alcohol is still legal,nobody has a fit all over the news or get the fDA involved when the kids are drinking but light, whisky, or vodka.I know why,because its a whole lot of tax money for the goverment and alcohol will never be bann and most people that talk about it indulge in it there selfs n really dont want to bann it.This is my personal opinion you know, people die from alcohol everyday wether from cancer,disease,murders,car accidents,and any other thing you think of,also abuse of children and spouses the list really just goes on and on.So not to get to far of subject but marijuina is illegal and has non of those effects. people use marijuina and are happy,relaxed,and just want to eat cheetos and and watch a movie and enjoy there selves. Now for people that just think im one of these people that preach about trying to legalize marijuina because im not,i dont beleive it should be legalized im pointing out the facts and thinking outside of the box. I wrote this because i think the whole picture the news and everyone is puting out is misleading,its not four loco that had a major roll in the accident that happened or the same thing that happens to so many people every year, sure was'nt the caffeine it was nothing less than the alcohol.I have drank four locos on many occasions and its no diffrent than any other alcohol,trust me you know when your drunk or not just like anything alcoholic beverage. (The reason marijuina is'nt legal and taxed is becaused anyone and everyone can grow something from the earth and cant be controlled, everyone really doesnt have equipment or know how to make alcohol in there back yard) IF YOU TOOK TIME TO THE READ THIS THANK YOU AND THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX.

[slow7]

I think that the whole thing about banning the drink four loco is just stupid.Im sorry for the loss of the family of the kids that past,but many more have died from alcohol in genral and nobodys on the news trying to ban alcohol.People have been drinking the popular drinks red bull and vodka,moster and vodka, and all other drinks that fit the category.The drink is no diffrent then beer or liquor, you get drunk on either one of them and the whole 12% thing is'nt new, for example MD 20/20 is 13% along with thunder bird,boonze farms, night train that have been sold sense i was a kid and are also in friut flavors that so called appeal more to children as if we alduts don't love fruity flavors wether its candy or an alcoholic bevarge.these people blame it on the mix of caffeine and alcohol but caffeine really has no effect on it,caffeine dos'nt alter your mind, the alcohol does.wether they drank a four loco or just to much beer kids are killed all the time from drinking and people that dont drink are victoms also.I want to know why alcohol is still legal,nobody has a fit all over the news or get the fDA involved when the kids are drinking but light, whisky, or vodka.I know why,because its a whole lot of tax money for the goverment and alcohol will never be bann and most people that talk about it indulge in it there selfs n really dont want to bann it.This is my personal opinion you know, people die from alcohol everyday wether from cancer,disease,murders,car accidents,and any other thing you think of,also abuse of children and spouses the list really just goes on and on.So not to get to far of subject but marijuina is illegal and has non of those effects. people use marijuina and are happy,relaxed,and just want to eat cheetos and and watch a movie and enjoy there selves. Now for people that just think im one of these people that preach about trying to legalize marijuina because im not,i dont beleive it should be legalized im pointing out the facts and thinking outside of the box. I wrote this because i think the whole picture the news and everyone is puting out is misleading,its not four loco that had a major roll in the accident that happened or the same thing that happens to so many people every year, sure was'nt the caffeine it was nothing less than the alcohol.I have drank four locos on many occasions and its no diffrent than any other alcohol,trust me you know when your drunk or not just like anything alcoholic beverage. (The reason marijuina is'nt legal and taxed is becaused anyone and everyone can grow something from the earth and cant be controlled, everyone really doesnt have equipment or know how to make alcohol in there back yard) IF YOU TOOK TIME TO THE READ THIS THANK YOU AND THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX.