Four Loko ban prompts surge in sales
Four Loko, the company that makes the most popular of a slew of controversial caffeinated alcoholic drinks, announced Tuesday night that it was removing caffeine and other sources of the stimulant from all of its products.
The announcement comes as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was expected to take ban the drinks, perhaps as early as Wednesday. Four Loko, in a statement, acknowledged that it was acting in response to the threat of government action.
The ban of the popular drink has prompted a surge in sales. College students are rushing to buy up Four Loko before the ban goes into effect next week.
Complaints and concern around products like Four Loco are with the combination of caffeine and that they contain a higher alcohol content than most beers and malt liquors of similar size — about 12 % versus 4 or 5%.
Chicago-based Phusion Products, who manufactures the Four Loko brand of alcoholic energy drink, said in a statement they “intent to reformulate its products to remove caffeine, guarana and taurine nationwide, saying it has taken the necessary steps to do so and is informing its employees and distributors of the plans. Going forward, Phusion will produce only non-caffeinated versions of Four Loko.
The beverages are sold largely by private companies under the brands Four Loko, Joose and others. The cheap, fruit flavoured drinks are growing in popularity, especially among college students.
A growing number of students from across the country have been hospitalized after drinking Four Loko. A 14-year-old Arlington, Texas, girl died after her boyfriend, also 14, lost control of their car. The boy, charged with intoxication manslaughter, told police they had a 12-pack of beer and had five Four Lokos. Five states and some colleges have already banned it.
A 14yr old driving a car?
Just bought 20 myself before they ban them… WOOT WOOT
Also. at only 2.75 a can…Its win win