FDA Tells 4 Makers of Alcoholic Energy Drinks They Are Breaking the Law

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today warned four companies that produce Four Loko and similar alcoholic energy drinks that they are violating federal law by spiking malt beverages with caffeine because it is an “unsafe food additive.” The agency has given the companies 15 days to either show that their products are safe or explain how they plan to remedy the violations. The FDA says it could seek to seize the products, which are popular among college students, if the companies continue to sell them. The companies that were warned are Charge Beverages Corp., which makes the Core High Gravity drinks; New Century Brewing Co., which makes Moonshot; United Brands Company, which makes Joose and Max; and Phusion Products LLC, which makes Four Loko. Phusion announced on Tuesday that it would stop adding caffeine to its beverages.