AP-NA
GEN US ENERGY DRINKS U.S. attorneys general urge federal crackdown on energy
drink claims
PORTLAND, Oregon (AP) - Attorneys general from 30 U.S. states
have asked federal regulators to crack down on the manufacturers
of energy drinks containing both alcohol and caffeine, accusing
them of using misleading advertising to market a product that
can pose serious health and safety risks.
Aggressive
marketing of energy drinks with alcohol target young people
who also buy non-alcoholic energy drinks, the attorneys general
warn in a letter to the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and
Trade Bureau.
Medical
researchers say that caffeine and other stimulants in energy
drinks may cause an intoxicated person to falsely believe
that he or she can continue to drink and function normally,
Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers said.
"Non-alcoholic
energy drinks are very popular with today's youth," Myers
said. "Beverage companies are unconscionably appealing
to young drinkers with claims about the stimulating properties
of alcoholic energy drinks. We urge TTB to take action to
stop companies from making misleading claims."
The
attorneys general also requested a federal investigation into
the makeup of alcoholic energy drinks and other flavored malt
beverages to determine whether, based on the percentage of
distilled spirits contained in the drinks, they are properly
classified as malt beverages under federal law.
The
malt beverage classification in many states enables cheaper
and broader sale of these drinks, making them more readily
available to young people than distilled spirits.
The
attorneys singled out three manufacturers: Miller Brewing
Co. for Sparks and Sparks Plus; Anheuser-Busch for Bud Extra;
and Charge Beverages of Portland for its Liquid Charge and
Liquid Core drinks.
