Division I regional track finals
Fenwick graduation 2012
Ponitz graduation 2012
Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2010 > November > 17 > Entry
Energy alcohol drinks targeted by state
The maker of Four Loko and the supplier of Joose, voluntarily agreed to stop marketing and selling the alcohol- and caffeine-infused energy drinks in Ohio, state liquor control officials said Wednesday.
The state Department of Commerce’s liquor control division reached out to Phusion Projects, United Brands Co., and other manufacturers and marketers and asked them to stop making, marketing and selling all alcohol energy drinks in Ohio.
The booze-infused drinks sometimes contain as much as 12 percent alcohol in a 23.5 ounce can as well as caffeine, taurine, guarana, ginseng, ginkgo biloba and other herbal stimulants. Downing a single can is like consuming five or six beers and a cup of coffee.
“In recent months, the division has become aware of serious health concerns associated with the use of alcohol energy drinks, and believes that those products pose a significant threat to the safety and health of Ohio consumers,” said state Commerce Director Kimberly Zurz.
State officials warned the energy alcohol drink industry that failure to voluntarily comply with the request may lead to changes in Ohio law.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also issued warning letters to four makers of the caffeinated alcoholic beverages, saying that caffeine was an “unsafe food additive” in their products.
Caffeine can mask cues people use to determine how drunk they are, the FDA said in a news release. As a result, people drinking these beverages may consume more alcohol and become more intoxicated than they realize.
Permalink | Comments (18) | Post your comment |
Tweet
Comments
By podie
November 18, 2010 8:18 PM | Link to this
Better stock up now!
By c-bear
November 17, 2010 10:56 PM | Link to this
It sure is a shame that most young adults and all seasoned adults have to pay the price of lost freedoms to accomodate irresponsible FOOLS. The jails are full of thug wannabees, hip-hop hoodlums and gangsta goons. The streets are dotted with pants-on-the-ground brats, brainless bullies and blinged out bozos. The clubs are overrun by look-at-me lunatics, weapon toting wierdos and crunked out crackheads. What a mess! I can’t wait to see what the next 10 years has to offer!!
By c-bear
November 17, 2010 10:33 PM | Link to this
Well, the young and dumb does it again. What the hell is wrong with the youth the last couple decades? They have no respect, responsibility or decency! They can’t seem to grasp the concept of driving so the age goes up yo 18 (in some areas) and seat belts become the law. They can’t grasp the comcept of drinking so the age goes up to 21. They can’t seem to grasp being an adult so maybe being a legal adult should be 25! WTF?
By Habit
November 17, 2010 10:27 PM | Link to this
Quit trying to legislate morality. You can’t stop people from mixing redbull and vodka. I can’t believe you idiots are in office.
By Kelly F
November 17, 2010 9:57 PM | Link to this
Does anyone else see this heading in a really bad direction? Firstly, how can you ban an alcoholic drink that clearly states its alcohol content on the side, but not ban those drinks of much higher contents? Secondly, if caffeine is the big “issue”, then what would stop a ban on non-alcoholic energy drinks, pop, and coffee? I can see it now….store shelves being only allowed to contain milk, water, and juice. Can anyone say control freaks?
By Tim
November 17, 2010 8:14 PM | Link to this
Alcohol is legal, mixed drinks are legal, caffeine is legal too. This is becoming surreal. Legislators: Run your own life, hands off ours! We don’t need your input as regards to food and drink. We can handle this. Thank you for your motherly concern.
By Awesome
November 17, 2010 6:04 PM | Link to this
I would like to reccomend to the state Department of Commerce’s liquor control division a permanent ban on Jagerbombs as they have the same effects. People get completely F-cked up and are unable to pass out!!!!
By CS
November 17, 2010 5:34 PM | Link to this
Let’s just ban everything. There is nothing that can’t be abused. Even water is toxic when over consumed. Let’s immediately drain the lakes and rivers.
By Jerry
November 17, 2010 5:32 PM | Link to this
How about banning miller lite as well? It makes me do stupid stuff. We should ban freedom as well. You can no longer buy and use what you want. They’re going to tell you what you can drink while they grab your junk at airport security.
By what?
November 17, 2010 5:30 PM | Link to this
How about a ban on the sale of cigarettes as well? That product actually KILLS thousands of people. This is a free country. If some kid drinks too much and pukes and falls down the steps it’s his fault, not a beverage company.
By Martha
November 17, 2010 4:55 PM | Link to this
The existence of this product was inspired by people combining energy drinks like Red Bull with alcohol. Like everything else, YMMV depending on how much you use and consume - just like everything else.
By idiots
November 17, 2010 4:34 PM | Link to this
So a bunch of dummies who can’t control themselves now get to control what everyone else drinks?
By hollerlouder
November 17, 2010 4:27 PM | Link to this
My friends and family have been taunting me the last couple of days about the possible demise of my favorite “social drink”. I am a 48yr. old responsible drinker who may have to adjust to the new taste or totally revert to a different alcoholic beverage altogether because some “kids” decided to play “grown-up” and abuse a perfectly good adult drink. If they’d wait until they are old and mature enough to handle their “liquor”, then the FDA could work on possibly approving a cure for cancer instead of concentrating on banning a fruity malt liquor that clearly states on the can that it contains 12% alcohol.
By null
November 17, 2010 4:10 PM | Link to this
Ok people geez… I drink these when I go out with my friends and don’t have any problems. That’s because I know my limits. The young kids drink these dont take responsibility for there actions!
By null
November 17, 2010 4:06 PM | Link to this
.
By null
November 17, 2010 4:05 PM | Link to this
.
By Grapes Wine and Beer
November 17, 2010 3:55 PM | Link to this
As a retailer of these products, the reason the makers voluntarily agreed to stop marketing and selling in Ohio, is because they will still sell there product in Ohio, just now without the caffeine. That is what the makers of Sparks and Tilt.
By hummmm
November 17, 2010 1:20 PM | Link to this
Personally, think this stinks….Four Loko and drinks like it have been around since last year, and there was never a problem with it until college students started getting their hands on it. One should know their limit and practices responsible drinking habits, if you dont then dont drink at all. Point blank