US: FDA to probe caffeinated alcoholic drinks

The US Food ad Drug Administration is to investigate the safety and legality of caffeinated alcoholic beverages, following concern over the effects of the drinks on consumers.

Around 30 producers of alcoholic drinks containing caffeine on sale across the US have been notified of the investigation, the FDA said on Friday (13 November).

"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 at the FDA.

The watchdog has never approved the drinks as GRAS (generally recognised as safe), putting the products in a grey area of the law.

Companies selling the drinks in the US have 30 days to provide evidence of why they believe their product deserves GRAS certification or is lawful under an existing FDA regulation.

If not convinced, the FDA said it would pull the drinks from sale.

The probe follows a letter sent to the FDA by 18 Attourneys General across the US, in which they express their concern about caffeinated alcoholic drinks.

Following campaigns by the Attourneys General, the two largest brewers in the US - Anheuser-Busch InBev and MillerCoors - have agreed to cease production of caffeinated alcoholic drinks.