BUSINESS NEWS
Alcoholic Energy Drinks Under Fire from FDA
Beverage makers given one month to hand over evidence that the combination of caffeine and alcohol is safe
Garden of Healing®
30 beverage makers received letters from the FDA Friday, giving manufacturers 30 days to prove that their beverages are safe.
The move came after 19 state attorneys general complained alcohol-infused energy drinks appeal to underage drinkers and encourage reckless behavior. Larger companies like Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD) have already removed caffeine from their alcoholic energy drinks.
The FDA has not yet approved caffeine for use in alcoholic beverages nor have they determined it to be hazardous. The FDA action has been taken on the suspicion that caffeine masks the effects of alcohol, leading to increased consumption and reckless behavior.
In their letter to the FDA, the attorneys general say caffeine can disguise the effects of alcohol, leading to "increased risk-taking and other serious alcohol related problems such as traffic accidents, violence, sexual assault and suicide," according to their letter.
MillerCoors acknowledged these hazards in December when they agreed to eliminate caffeine from Sparks, the most popular of alcoholic energy beverages.
Sparks and drinks of its kind make up 1% of total beer sales, roughly $1 billion annually.
© 1996 - 2009 The Garden of Healing® Company. The Star Raconteur™. All Rights Reserved.
Alcoholic Energy Drinks Under Fire from FDA
Beverage makers given one month to hand over evidence that the combination of caffeine and alcohol is safe
Garden of Healing®
30 beverage makers received letters from the FDA Friday, giving manufacturers 30 days to prove that their beverages are safe.
The move came after 19 state attorneys general complained alcohol-infused energy drinks appeal to underage drinkers and encourage reckless behavior. Larger companies like Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD) have already removed caffeine from their alcoholic energy drinks.
The FDA has not yet approved caffeine for use in alcoholic beverages nor have they determined it to be hazardous. The FDA action has been taken on the suspicion that caffeine masks the effects of alcohol, leading to increased consumption and reckless behavior.
In their letter to the FDA, the attorneys general say caffeine can disguise the effects of alcohol, leading to "increased risk-taking and other serious alcohol related problems such as traffic accidents, violence, sexual assault and suicide," according to their letter.
MillerCoors acknowledged these hazards in December when they agreed to eliminate caffeine from Sparks, the most popular of alcoholic energy beverages.
Sparks and drinks of its kind make up 1% of total beer sales, roughly $1 billion annually.
© 1996 - 2009 The Garden of Healing® Company. The Star Raconteur™. All Rights Reserved.
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