FDA looks into caffeinated alcohol drinks

SILVER SPRING, Md., Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Nearly 30 makers of caffeinated alcoholic beverages have been told by U.S. officials they plan to look into the safety and legality of their products.

Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, principal deputy commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, said 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.

The FDA has not approved the use of caffeine, a stimulant, in beverages containing alcohol, a depressant, and thus such beverages can be lawfully marketed only if their use is subject to a prior sanction or is generally recognized as safe, Sharfstein said.

"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," Sharfstein said in a statement.

Federal officials said Friday they notified manufacturers to the fact that the agency is considering whether caffeine can lawfully be added to alcoholic beverages.

The FDA noted it is unaware of the basis upon which manufacturers may have concluded that the use of caffeine in alcoholic beverages is generally recognized as safe or prior sanctioned.