Four Loko Alco-Energy Drink to be Discontinued

Four Loko is a highly caffeinated malt liquor beverage with the alcohol content of four 12 ounce beers and the caffeine content of four coffees.  It comes in a variety of fruity flavors.  The 23.5 ounce cans have become a favorite of young people.  I personally have seen it around for a little over a year.  Some of the people I've spoken to describe it as the closest thing to cocaine that they can get.  And the hangovers are reportedly the worst. The dangerous mix of caffeine, taurine, guarana, and alcohol has landed some in the hospital. 

Now, reportedly, The FDA will prohibit the sale of beverages that mix alcohol and caffeine.  Seeing the writing on the wall, Phusion Products, makers of Four Loko, announced this morning that they will no longer include caffeine, taurine and guarana in Four Loko.  The decision is shore to save a few horrible hangovers, at the very least.

The Libertarian in me wonders if the government should be waasting its time with more regulations.  The parent in me commends the FDA and, reluctantly, the makers of Four Loko, for their recent decisions.  The parent in me also wonders exactly who these drinks are marketed to.  With the colorful cans and fruity flavors, they are easily mistaken for one of many fruit or energy drinks we'd find in the supermarket.