Alcoholic Drinks With Caffeine Under FDA Scrutiny
Beverages that combine alcohol and caffeine may be illegal and unsafe for consumers, the Food and Drug Administration said today in announcing an investigation into the products.
The FDA sent letters to about 30 companies that market caffeinated alcoholic beverages, saying the agency has concerns about the safety of the products. Some studies have found such drinks are used by as many as 26 percent of U.S. college students.
“The increasing popularity of consumption of caffeinated alcoholic beverages by college students and reports of potential health and safety issues necessitates that we look seriously at the scientific evidence as soon as possible,” said Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, principal deputy commissioner of food and drugs.
Use of Caffeine With Alcohol Not FDA Approved
The FDA has approved the limited use of caffeine as an additive in soft drinks, but authorities have not given the go-ahead for companies to add caffeine in any level to alcoholic beverages. The agency said it plans to investigate whether companies that market alcoholic beverages containing caffeine are violating safety provisions of the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
The FDA asked the companies to produce evidence that their products should be FDA approved. The companies have 30 days to respond, officials said.
Last year, Anheuser-Busch and Miller stopped marketing their popular caffeinated alcoholic beverages, Tilt and Bud Extra and Sparks, after the FDA objected to the products. The companies agreed to not produce any caffeinated alcoholic beverages in the future, the FDA said.
Also, just last month, the FDA received a letter from 18 Attorneys General and one city attorney expressing concerns about caffeinated alcoholic beverages, the agency said.
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