Caffeine
is an “unsafe food additive” to malt alcohol beverages, U.S. regulators
told four makers of alcoholic energy drinks after a yearlong investigation in
the wake of reports of injuries to consumers of the drinks.
The
federal government may seize the products if companies don’t remove the caffeine
from them, the Food and Drug Administration said today in a statement. The
agency said it sent warning letters to Charge Beverages Corp., New Century
Brewing Co., United Brands Co., and Phusion Projects
LLC, the closely held maker of Four Loko drinks.
Washington, Michigan, Utah and Oklahoma and
some colleges banned caffeinated alcoholic beverages after reports of young
people being sick or injured after consuming them, Senator Charles Schumer of New
York said yesterday in a statement. Phusion Projects,
based in Chicago,
announced late yesterday that it would remove
the caffeine from Four Loko drinks.
“FDA
views this announcement as a positive step,” the agency said in its statement.
“FDA has not yet heard officially from the company about this announcement,
including how quickly it will remove the present product from circulation and
how quickly it will reformulate its product. FDA intends to work with Phusion
Projects, LLC, and the other manufacturers to assure their products meet safety
standards.”
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