FDA asks companies to prove safety of caffeine, alcohol-laced drinks

The Food and Drug Administration announced Friday it may pull alcoholic beverages containing added caffeine off the market unless manufacturers can prove the combo drinks are safe to drink.

Risky combo drinks
A research done by Dr. Mary Claire O'Brien, at Wake Forest University School of Medicine has shown that caffeinated alcoholic drinks are increasingly becoming a drink of choice among college students.

The research also shows that students who consume caffeine and alcohol-laced drinks are more at risk for injury and other alcohol-related consequences than those who drink alcohol without the added caffeine.

FDA wants proof of safety
The findings prompted the FDA to take action against the companies making these products.

The federal agency Friday sent warning letters to nearly 30 manufacturers of the drinks, asking them to prove the safety of combo drinks, such as 24/7 made by Mix Master Beverage Co. and Joose by United Brands Co.

In the letters, FDA said that it would “take appropriate action to ensure that the products are removed from the marketplace,” unless the manufacturers could provide clear evidence of safety.

The agency says that it not only wants to know whether these products are safe, but also whether it is even legal to add caffeine to such drinks.

Companies to provide evidence of safety
The federal food regulators have gave combination drink makers 30 days to provide safety data to support claims that the caffeine use is generally recognized as safe.

If the companies fail to prove that their drinks don't pose health or safety risks, FDA can demand the products be taken off the market.

"We are taking a look at the legal basis for the marketing of the products," said Joshua Sharfstein, the FDA's principal deputy commissioner.

These drinks combine malt liquor or other spirits with caffeine and fruit juices at alcohol concentrations up to about 10 percent, and their consumption triggers risk of serious injury, drunken driving, sexual assault and other dangerous behavior, Sharfstein said.

Once the manufacturers of caffeinated alcoholic beverages respond with "scientific evidence," the health agency will review it and decide whether or not the drinks can stay on the market.