Alcoholic energy drinks such as SPARKS may soon be taken off the market following the FDA's increased scrutiny of the combination of substances the drinks contain.
The FDA last week gave notice to 27 alcoholic energy drink manufacturers that they would have 30 days to supply evidence of the safety of the mixture of caffeine and alcohol contained in the drinks. The refreshments are designed to give consumers an energy boost paired with an alcoholic buzz. According to a recent article on aboutlawyers.com, the decision to investigate the safety of the drinks’ ingredients came after 18 state attorney generals raised questions in a letter about the safety of the combination of the substances.
Since the FDA has not approved the combination, it is deemed illegal to produce and distribute under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as explained in the letter sent to the various manufacturers.
Objectors base their views on the belief that the addition of caffeine to the drinks can give users a boost in energy, allowing them to drink more without feeling fatigued. The LA Times reports that the task force appointed by the FDA “argues that the caffeine can mask the intoxicating effects of alcohol, possibly leading to an increase in drunk driving, sexual assault and other destructive behavior.”
In response to pressure from the task force, last year Annheuser-Busch Cos. and MillerCoors, the largest brewers in the country took their alcoholic energy drink products off shelves. Producers of drinks explicitly billed as alcoholic energy drinks have already stopped production of those products.
But young drinkers have been combining the two substances without the help of pre-packaged drinks. For instance the cocktail, vodka redbull contains the same ingredients and is readily available in bars across the country. The classic rum and coke endeavors to achieve a similar effect. Will the removal of pre-mixed energy drinks really stop consumers from mixing caffeine and alcohol?
