Ban on caffeinated alcoholic drinks in the United States

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Four Loko beverage, a common caffeinated alcoholic beverage Four Loko Beverage Large Can.jpg
Four Loko beverage, a common caffeinated alcoholic beverage

The 17 November 2010 [1] United States ban on caffeinated alcoholic drinks is a ban which prevents the marketing and distribution of any prepackaged caffeinated alcoholic drink.

Contents

Such a ban was discussed as a result of multiple cases of alcohol poisoning and alcohol-related blackouts among users of such drinks. The majority of these alcohol poisoning cases were found on college campuses throughout the United States. Caffeinated alcoholic drinks such as Four Loko, Joose, Sparks and Tilt were the most popular around the U.S. The beverages, which combine malt liquor or other grain alcohol with caffeine and juices at alcohol concentrations up to about 14 percent, had become popular among younger generations. Their consumption had been associated with increased risk of serious injury, drunken driving, sexual assault and other detrimental behavior. [2]

Active ingredients

One of the more popular drinks, Four Loko, originally mixed an amount of caffeine equal to three cups of coffee with alcohol equivalent to about three cans of beer. Critics argue that the beverages are designed to appeal to younger buyers that are used to drinking caffeinated energy drinks. A 23.5-U.S.-fluid-ounce (690 ml) can of Four Loko contains either 6 or 12 percent alcohol by volume, depending on state regulations. [1] Another reason for drinks such as Four Loko's appeal to youth is the pricing. [3] At approximately $2 a can, it has been reported that college students or younger high school students would be more inclined to buy such beverages. [3] When the ban was placed at the end of 2010, many students bought out what was left on shelves for resale. [3]

Proposed reason for ban

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the beverages are regularly consumed by 31 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds and 34 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds. After this was released there was a parental outcry from the majority of the country to ban the beverage. [4] Drinkers who consume alcohol-laced energy drinks are about twice as likely as drinkers who do not report mixing alcohol with energy drinks to report being taken advantage of sexually, to report taking advantage of someone else sexually, and to report riding with a driver who was under the influence of alcohol, according to the CDC. [4] Research has also noted that the extreme levels of alcohol and caffeine in the large serving beverages creates a "wide-awake drunk" that makes it impossible for people to comprehend how intoxicated they actually are and allows them to consume far more alcohol than they otherwise would be able to without passing out from intoxication. [3]

As of November 10, 2010, caffeinated alcoholic energy drinks had been banned in Washington and Michigan in the United States. [5] [6] The bans followed a widely publicized incident which resulted in hospitalization in the fall of 2010 of college students who had consumed several cans of Four Loko caffeinated alcoholic beverage. [7] Utah, which has state controlled liquor retail outlets, after studying them, never permitted the sale of caffeinated alcoholic energy drinks. [8] The products will[ needs update ] no longer be delivered to Oklahoma after December 3, 2010, [9] and delivery to retailers has been suspended in New York. [10]

On November 17, 2010, the US Food and Drug Administration warned four companies, Charge Beverages Corp., New Century Brewing Co., Phusion Projects, and United Brands Company Inc, that the caffeine added to their malt alcoholic beverages is an "unsafe food additive" and said that further action, including seizure of their products, may occur under federal law. [11] In a press release, the FDA states "there is evidence that the combinations of caffeine and alcohol in these products pose a public health concern." They also state that concerns have been raised that caffeine can mask some of the sensory cues individuals might normally rely on to determine their level of intoxication. Warning letters were issued to each of the four companies requiring them to provide to the FDA in writing within 15 days of the specific steps the firms will be taking.

Manufacturers have argued that drinking a caffeinated alcoholic energy drink is indistinguishable from drinking a couple of glasses of wine followed by a couple of cups of coffee. [10]

Adverse effects

Caffeine has not been shown to have an effect on a person's self-assessment of their level of alcohol intoxication. [12]

Food and Drug Administration

In November 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration notified nearly 30 manufacturers of caffeinated alcoholic beverages that it would study the safety and legality of their products. [5]

In November 2010, the agency told the manufacturers of seven such beverages, including Four Loko, that their drinks are a "public health concern" and can not stay on the market in their current form. [1] A member of the FDA said that the agency did not support the claim that the addition of caffeine to these alcoholic beverages is GRAS ("generally recognized as safe"), a regulatory standard. [1]

The agency clarified that beverages that naturally contain caffeine due to their ingredients, such as coffee-based liqueurs, are not limited by these restrictions; the ruling only applies to beverages that have specifically added caffeine. [13]

Removing caffeine

The decision to remove caffeine from the beverage came from a review by the FDA, which gave the companies a window to either remove the caffeine and other stimulants in the drinks or face possible penalties under federal law. [1] Experts have said the caffeine used in the beverages can mask the effects of alcohol, leaving drinkers unaware of how intoxicated they are. One of the companies that received letters of warning was Phusion Projects in Chicago which makes Four Loko. Phusion Projects announced in November 2010 that it was dropping caffeine and two other ingredients, guarana and taurine, from Four Loko because of a politically angered environment. [1]

Buying binge

In the last quarter of 2010, around Washington D.C. there were record sales on the beverage Four Loko. [3] Multiple liquor stores in the D.C. area near American and Georgetown universities claimed that there was an increase in sales of caffeinated alcoholic beverages before they were moved from the shelves. Grocery stores near the George Washington University campus also reported a large sales increase. [3]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caffeine</span> Central nervous system stimulant

Caffeine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant of the methylxanthine class and is the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance globally. It is mainly used for its eugeroic, ergogenic, or nootropic properties. Caffeine acts by blocking binding of adenosine at a number of adenosine receptor types, inhibiting the centrally depressant effects of adenosine and enhancing the release of acetylcholine. Caffeine has a three-dimensional structure similar to that of adenosine, which allows it to bind and block its receptors. Caffeine also increases cyclic AMP levels through nonselective inhibition of phosphodiesterase, increases calcium release from intracellular stores, and antagonises GABA receptors, although these mechanisms typically occur at concentrations beyond usual human consumption.

Caffeinism is a state of intoxication caused by excessive consumption of caffeine. This intoxication covers a variety of unpleasant physical and mental symptoms associated with the consumption of excessive amounts of caffeine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Energy drink</span> Beverage containing stimulants

An energy drink is a type of functional beverage containing stimulant compounds, usually caffeine, which is marketed as providing mental and physical stimulation. They may or may not be carbonated and may also contain sugar, other sweeteners, or herbal extracts, among numerous other possible ingredients.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drinking culture</span> Aspect of human behavior

Drinking culture is the set of traditions and social behaviours that surround the consumption of alcoholic beverages as a recreational drug and social lubricant. Although alcoholic beverages and social attitudes toward drinking vary around the world, nearly every civilization has independently discovered the processes of brewing beer, fermenting wine, and distilling spirits, among other practices. Many countries have developed their own regional cultures based on unique traditions around the fermentation and consumption of alcohol, which may also be known as a beer culture, wine culture etc. after a particularly prominent type of drink.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buckfast Tonic Wine</span> Caffeinated fortified wine

Buckfast Tonic Wine is a caffeinated alcoholic drink consisting of fortified wine with added caffeine, originally made by monks at Buckfast Abbey in Devon, England. It is now made under a licence granted by the monastery, and distributed by J. Chandler & Company in Great Britain, James E McCabe Ltd in Northern Ireland, and Richmond Marketing Ltd in Ireland. It is based on a traditional recipe from France. The wine's distributor reported record sales of £43.2 million as of March 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caffeinated drink</span> Type of drink

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Four Loko</span> Line of alcoholic drinks

Four Loko is a line of alcoholic beverages sold by Phusion Projects of Chicago, Illinois, United States. Four Loko's recipe formerly included caffeine. Phusion operates as Drink Four Brewing Company. Four Loko, the company's most popular beverage, debuted in the United States market in 2005 and is available in 49 states, and in 21 countries including Ecuador, Guatemala, Paraguay, The Bahamas, Peru, Mexico, Colombia, Bolivia, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, China, Canada and some countries in Europe. The name "Four" is derived from the original drink having four "key ingredients".

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joose</span> Flavored malt beverage

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cohen, Elizabeth; Young, Saundra; Smith, Matt (November 17, 2010). "FDA calls 7 caffeine-alcohol drinks unsafe". cnn.com .
  2. ↑ Harris, Gardiner (November 14, 2009). "F.D.A. Says It May Ban Alcoholic Drinks With Caffeine". The New York Times . p. A11.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Johnson, Jenna; Sieff, Kevin (November 19, 2010). "Alcoholic energy drink's ban fuels a buying binge". The Washington Post .
  4. 1 2 "FDA Expected to Ban Caffeinated Alcohol Drinks". U.S. News & World Report . HealthDay News. November 17, 2009.
  5. 1 2 FDA (November 13, 2009). "FDA To Look Into Safety of Caffeinated Alcoholic Beverages Agency Sends Letters to Nearly 30 Manufacturers". Press release. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Archived from the original on November 16, 2009. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
  6. ↑ Goodnough, Abby (November 10, 2010). "Second State Bans Caffeinated Alcoholic Drinks". The New York Times. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
  7. ↑ Goodnough, Abby (October 26, 2010). "Caffeine and Alcohol Drink Is Potent Mix for Young". The New York Times. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
  8. ↑ Evensen, Jay (October 27, 2010). "Utah a step ahead on Four Loko". Deseret News . Archived from the original on November 2, 2010.
  9. ↑ Colberg, Sonya (November 9, 2010). "Oklahoma panel bans deliveries of Four Loko after Dec. 3".
  10. 1 2 Abby Goodnough; Dan Frosch (November 15, 2010). "F.D.A. Expected to Act on Alcoholic Energy Drinks". The New York Times. Retrieved November 16, 2010.
  11. ↑ "FDA Warning Letters issued to four makers of caffeinated alcoholic beverages". Food and Drug Administration . November 17, 2010. Retrieved November 17, 2010.
  12. ↑ Benson, Sarah; Verster, Joris C.; Alford, Chris; Scholey, Andrew (2014). "Effects of mixing alcohol with caffeinated beverages on subjective intoxication: A systematic review and meta-analysis". Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 47: 16–21. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.07.008. ISSN   0149-7634. PMID   25036891. S2CID   42390630.
  13. ↑ "Questions and Answers: Caffeinated Alcoholic Beverages". U.S. Food and Drug Administration. November 17, 2010. Archived from the original on October 23, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
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