Caffeinated Alcoholic Drinks are Dangerous

     On November 17, 2010, the F.D.A. decided that caffeine is an illegal additive to alcoholic drinks.  The F.D.A. particularly condemned the drink Four Loko, a drink that is 12 percent alcohol by volume and has up to 156 milligrams of caffeine per can.  (equivalent to 4 shots of liquor and 3 cups of coffee)  The F.D.A. research over the past year has proven that people who drink these caffeinated alcoholic beverages are more likely to become intoxicated.  The caffeine masks the effects of alcohol, and leads people to "a state of wide-awake drunk".  This causes them to consume more alcohol without passing out, and do crazy things resulting in hazardous and life-threatening situations.
      Four Loko has caused several deaths in the past months.  Students at Ramapo College in Mahway, M.J., and Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Wash. who drank this beverage ended up in emergency rooms with high levels of alcohol poisoning.
     The F.D.A. issued warnings to fourteen major companies that produce these caffeinated alcoholic drinks, urging them to take their products off the shelves.  Many colleges have banned Four Loko.  A few states, including Michigan and Washington have also banned the drinks.  Other states are following them.



For more information:
http://www.hedgefundlive.com/blog/blackout-in-a-can
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/18/us/18drinks.html?ref=science
http://southfield.injuryboard.com/defective-and-dangerous-products/caffeinated-party-brew-banned-in-several-states.aspx?googleid=286270