Caffeinated alcoholic beverages to me are something of an oxymoron. Like “jumbo shrimp”. “Seriously joking”. “Taped live”. And “working vacation”.
After today, though, I feel confident in predicting a sudden rush of caffeinated alcoholic beverage purchases. That’s because the FDA today “notified nearly 30 manufacturers of caffeinated alcoholic beverages that it intends to look into the safety and legality of their products.”
In other words, you’re in range now. Smile when you see the flash.
The logic for the FDA’s targeting of caffeinated alcoholic beverages is explained in the press release…
“Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, a substance added intentionally to food (such as caffeine in alcoholic beverages) is deemed “unsafe” and is unlawful unless its particular use has been approved by FDA regulation, the substance is subject to a prior sanction, or the substance is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). FDA has not approved the use of caffeine in alcoholic beverages and thus such beverages can be lawfully marketed only if their use is subject to a prior sanction or is GRAS. For a substance to be GRAS, there must be evidence of its safety at the levels used and a basis to conclude that this evidence is generally known and accepted by qualified experts.”
Soooo…. flavored alcoholic beverages might also be targeted under this interpretation, right? Or anything not specifically OKed by the FDA?
The press release also spells out that the FDA isn’t going to be messing around with the preliminaries this time out.
“The FDA requested that, within 30 days, the companies produce evidence of their rationale, with supporting data and information, for concluding that the use of caffeine in their product is GRAS or prior sanctioned. FDA’s letter informed each company that if FDA determines that the use of caffeine in the firm’s alcoholic beverages is not GRAS or prior sanctioned, FDA will take appropriate action to ensure that the products are removed from the marketplace.”
And who got a copy of the FDA’s nastygram?
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Charge Beverages Corporation United Brands Company, Inc Phusion Projects LLC Point Blank Beverages Co. Hard Wired Brewing Company, LLC Mix Master Beverage Co Catalyst Beverage Company New Century Brewing Company Melanie Brewing Co Thomas Creek Brewery, LLC Diageo North America, Inc Constellation Brands The P.I.N.K. Spirits Company/Prohibition Beverage Inc Delicious Brands Inc. |
Sovereign Brands Moet Hennessey/Millennium Import LLC Shotpak Vodka Wingard USA (Importer) LeVecke Corporation Rocktail Drinks/Liquid Manufacturing LLC Cold Spring Brewing Company/Atomic Brands 808 Spirits Co. Gaamm Imports Inc. Ithaca Beer Co. Gluek Brewing Company MHW, Ltd and Niche Import Company Rizer Spirits Inc |
Buy ’em now if you want ’em.
