Broward BriefingsSubstance Abuse Information for Action

Volume III Issue 4 Fall 2009Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Center for the Studyand Prevention ofSubstance Abuse

A CommunityPartnership with

Nova SoutheasternUniversity

And

Broward Briefings may be copied without permission. Please cite Center for the Study and Prevention of Substance Abuse

Telephone: (786) 242-8222 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: drugfreebroward.org

Alcohol Energy Drinks Face FDA BanThe US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has threatened to banalcohol energy drinks unless manufacturers prove that the beverages aresafe. Last year, Anheuser-Busch and later MillerCoors eliminatedcaffeine and other stimulants from their malt beverages. Yet, nearly 30other manufacturers continued to combine malt liquor with caffeine andfruit juices with alcohol concentrations up to about 10 percent. The FDAhas ordered those companies to provide clear evidence that the productsare save or that the agency will “take appropriate action to ensure that theproducts are removed from the marketplace.” FDA stated thatconsumption of these products was associated with increased risk ofserious injury, intoxicated driving, sexual assault and other dangers. Oneof these products shown below, Joose (pronounced “juice”) from UnitedBrands is promoted through social marketing web and Twitter sites.Federal law requires makers of products that combine commoningredients to prove that the combinations are safe.

Joose is an energy drink with 9.9percent alcohol content whosemanufacturer, United Brands, mustnow prove safe or remove it fromthe marketplace.