Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent warning letters to companies that market malt alcohol beverages with added caffeine that the combination of caffeine and alcohol is “unsafe,” and that the government may take further action…possibly including seizure of their products.
The targeted products include:
- Core High Gravity HG
- Core High Gravity HG Orange
- Lemon Lime Core Spiked
- Moonshot
- Four Loko
- Joose and Max
This action follows extensive scientific review and consultation with experts, such as toxicologists, emergency medicine specialists, and neuropharmacologists. According to the FDA Press Release:
Experts have raised concerns that caffeine can mask some of the sensory cues individuals might normally rely on to determine their level of intoxication. The FDA said peer-reviewed studies suggest that the consumption of beverages containing added caffeine and alcohol is associated with risky behaviors that may lead to hazardous and life-threatening situations.
What kind of hazardous situations? You name it. For starters, think about drinking and driving, falling down stairs, getting into fights, or drinking to extreme excess. Some scientists believe that these beverages act differently in the body than simply drinking alcohol followed by a cup of coffee. There is something about the combination hitting the brain together that have a more powerful and dangerous effect.
The specific drinks cited in the warning letters are being marketed in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Other drinks are just as potent (and potentially hazardous), but they are marketed more responsibly. However, that doesn’t mean that they are safe.
HensonFuerst Attorneys fight against drunk driving and personal injuries everyday. We don’t want to see any increase in wrecks due to this new type of beverage. Be aware…don’t drink and drive…and understand that alcohol and caffeine are not a good combination.
To read the full FDA press release, click here: FDA WARNING LETTERS SENT
And feel free to visit our website to learn more about the legal options for people involved in motor vehicle wrecks: HensonFuerst Attorneys. If you have questions, HensonFuerst has answers.