North Carolina ABC Commission Moves To Remove Four Loko
Four Loko
- In North Carolina the ABC Commission is trying to make it easier for retailers to remove alcoholic energy drinks like “Four Loko” from store shelves
North Carolina’s ABC Commission addressed the issue of alcoholic energy drinks, a day after the FDA issued warnings to the makers of these drinks, including the maker of the popular “Four Loko” brand. ABC acts to quicken removal of alcoholic energy drinks
“The Federal action yesterday effectively leads to a ban of the products unless there is a court challenge,” said ABC Commission Chairman Jon Williams.
Commissioners say North Carolina wants to take the Federal actions a step further. Chairman Williams said that he will work with the retail merchants and the wholesalers in North Carolina to quickly and orderly remove the products from North Carolina shelves. The commission created an exemption to allow retailers to get credit from wholesalers to return the product, which they say will hurry the removal process.
The commission also proposed making companies disclose any stimulants added to drinks in the future and put them on the label. They said this will help make sure dangerous products like this do not sneak up on health officials again.
The labeling proposal will have to go through several steps before it is made official. ABC Commission leaders said they expect that to happen early next 2011. Companies making caffeinated alcoholic beverages have 15 days from when the warning was issued to notify the FDA of what steps they are taking.
