11/18/2010
CHARLESTON, W.Va.— The West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration (WVABCA) has been monitoring the national and state issue regarding caffeinated alcoholic beverages. The WVABCA, in cooperation with the West Virginia Beer Wholesalers’ Association, the West Virginia Retailers Association (WVRA) and the West Virginia Oil Marketers and Grocers Association (OMEGA), call for a voluntary and immediate cessation of all caffeinated alcoholic beverage sales.
On November 17, 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning against the use of caffeine in alcoholic beverages at any level, recognizing it as an “unsafe food additive”, and said that further action could include seizure of the products under federal law. Four companies received FDA warning letters and their products are:
- Charge Beverages Corp.: Core High Gravity HG, Core High Gravity HG
Orange, and Lemon Lime Core Spiked
- New Century Brewing Co., LLC: Moonshot
- Phusion Projects, LLC (d/b/a Drink Four Brewing Co.): Four Loko
- United Brands Company Inc.: Joose and Max
WVABCA, along with the Beer Wholesalers, WVRA, and OMEGA agree that the issue is complex, involving public health and safety concerns.
“Our foremost concern is the safety of our citizens,” WVABCA Commissioner Dallas Staples said. “Therefore, I call upon the business community to voluntarily cease the sale of these products until such a time when the safety of the caffeinated alcoholic beverages can be affirmed by the federal government.”
Additional action may be taken by the WVABCA upon further guidance from the FDA and the U.S. Department of Treasury Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) which are expected to issue rulings in early December.
Contact Information
Gary Robinson
(304) 558-2481