Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Marketing of Energy Drinks Under Scrutiny

Authorities wondering if beer makers are targeting kids with caffeinated booze

By Sam Gale Rosen, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 21, 2008 8:56 AM CST

(Newser) – Big beer companies are facing state-led investigations into whether they're marketing caffeinated alcohol products to underage drinkers, the Wall Street Journal reports. Anheuser-Busch and Miller Brewing both make such beverages, but insist that "We responsibly market our products to legal drinking-age consumers," a... Read full story »

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

You need to Log in to Newser to comment. Don't have an account yet? Sign up now!

There are no comments

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Cops Shoot Naked Guy Eating Man's Face on Highway

Japanese Artist Serves Up Own Cooked Genitals

Wall Street Journal (Source Grid »)

Brewers: But everyone drinks rum and Coke!
East Bay Business Times

US • Health • Money

alcohol • caffeine • drinking • energy drink • Andrew Cuomo • Miller Brewing • Tilt • Bud Extra • Sparks • Anheuser-Busch • underage drinking

More Newser Stories

Beer Giant Kills Caffeine, Alcohol Combo

MillerCoors takes boost out of energy beer

(NEWSER) - Beer giant MillerCoors has agreed to snuff out its controversial Sparks line of high-alcohol, high-caffeine drinks. Attorneys general in 25 states complained the stimulant dangerously masks intoxication and accused the company of marketing the beverages to teenagers, the Chicago Tribune reports. Anheuser-Busch has already agreed to remove caffeine from Tilt and Bud Extra. More»

FDA Demands Safety Data on Energy Drinks With Alcohol

Companies have 30 days to comply

(NEWSER) - The FDA has taken action against companies that make alcoholic energy drinks, giving the firms 30 days to provide evidence to support their claim that caffeine and booze are a safe combination. A group of concerned scientists have said there is no evidence to support the claim that the drinks are safe. "Being wide awake and drunk at the same time increases the risk of engaging in several forms of violent or other high-risk physical behaviors that can cause injury," they said in a statement. More»

Caffeinated Booze Prompts State Probes

AGs said to be concerned over deceptive marketing

(NEWSER) - State attorneys general are taking a hard look at increasingly popular caffeinated alcohol beverages amid fears the combination is dangerous and targeted at underage drinkers, the Wall Street Journal reports. The AGs are calling for company records from the makers of Joose and Four Loko. At 7-Eleven, Joose has had faster sales growth than any other alcoholic beverage this year. More»

FDA Declares Alcoholic Energy Drinks 'Unsafe'

Federal government may seize them

(NEWSER) - The FDA has declared alcoholic energy drinks unsafe for consumption, and warned companies that the federal government may seize them if they don’t switch to decaf. Regulators have sent warning letters to Charge Beverages, New Century Brewing, United Brands, and Phusion Projects, the makers of Four Loko, Bloomberg reports. The move follows a yearlong investigation into consumer complaints. More»

Michigan Bans Four Loko Across State

Other places may follow suit

(NEWSER) - Michigan has banned Four Loko and other caffeinated alcoholic beverages statewide, the Chicago Tribune reports. It's apparently the first state to do so, but politicians and school officials across the country are also taking aim: City councilmen in Chicago proposed a ban this week, Pennsylvania's liquor commission has asked retailers to pull the drinks voluntarily, and the University of Rhode Island became the latest campus to ban the drinks, notes NPR . More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Marketing of Energy Drinks Under Scrutiny

Authorities wondering if beer makers are targeting kids with caffeinated booze

alcohol • caffeine • drinking • energy drink • Andrew Cuomo • Miller Brewing • Tilt • Bud Extra • Sparks • Anheuser-Busch • underage drinking

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Beer Giant Kills Caffeine, Alcohol Combo

MillerCoors takes boost out of energy beer

FDA Demands Safety Data on Energy Drinks With Alcohol

Companies have 30 days to comply

Caffeinated Booze Prompts State Probes

AGs said to be concerned over deceptive marketing

FDA Declares Alcoholic Energy Drinks 'Unsafe'

Federal government may seize them

Michigan Bans Four Loko Across State

Other places may follow suit

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?