"FDA Bans Caffeine In Alcoholic Beverages?"

reply to post by thisguyrighthere


Let us consider this point:

If I can not buy a single large size serving of pre-mixed energy drink cocktail, I must necessarily buy a full pack of red bull and a full bottle of vodka to make the cocktail I so desire.

Which is going to get me more hammered?

A can of Jooze or a bottle of vodka?

reply to post by mnemeth1


Sorry, I think I may have phrased that a bit too harshly.

However I believe in situations where safety issues are proven, and could continuously continue to cause health issues with an unaware target market, something needs to be done.

These are stupid kids drinking this, not your average, intellectual ATS member. Remember who're they're trying to get their product to. Sure, I look at the ingredients on almost everything I purchase, as many of the other members. But I'd also like to point out I didn't find out about ATS until after college either and made many, MANY stupid decisions I would not have made knowing what I have learned from here.

reply to post by thisguyrighthere


If that's what you think, then you are VERY far removed from the age at which this drink is targeted. Stop assuming people are smart for one second and realize that all of these kids are following a trend. A trend that says "let's get as jacked up as possible".

But even if they WERE to look at the ingredients, do you honestly think these kids would have ANY idea what a safe amount of caffeine to alcohol ratio might be?

Originally posted by Rockstar02
reply to post by mnemeth1

 

Sorry, I think I may have phrased that a bit too harshly.

However I believe in situations where safety issues are proven, and could continuously continue to cause health issues with an unaware target market, something needs to be done.

These are stupid kids drinking this, not your average, intellectual ATS member. Remember who're they're trying to get their product to. Sure, I look at the ingredients on almost everything I purchase, as many of the other members. But I'd also like to point out I didn't find out about ATS until after college either and made many, MANY stupid decisions I would not have made knowing what I have learned from here.

I am a fan of truth in advertising.

I am also a fan of property rights.

Taken in combination, the problem can be resolved without a ban.

Of course in this case, there is no need to do anything because people know what they are buying. There is nothing deceptive about a can of Jooze.

Everyone knows what it is and what it does.

reply to post by mnemeth1


Interesting. On one hand we have a 23 ounce can containing the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee and about 30% alcohol.

On the other we have perhaps a Rockstar at 16 ounces containing roughly as much caffeine as two cups of coffee and if we go small a pint or 16 ounces of vodka at 40% alcohol.

That's a tough one.

reply to post by Rockstar02


At this point, the only real argument I can make is for social Darwinism.

If a bunch of kids go out and kill themselves drinking - perhaps they didn't really need to be growing up and having kids. If one of my kids does it - sure, I'd be sad to lose them - but at the same time, they were stupid for doing that.

I would normally get into a discussion about rights and government - but, I'm getting kind of tired of trying to explain that to people. It's a fundamental difference. Either you believe in the nanny state or you don't. I'm not going to convince you on an internet forum that you don't really want a nanny state. You're not going to convince me that I want a nanny state, either. So, I'll just cede that I'm a heartless bastard who believes in the advancement of the human race through attrition.

reply to post by mnemeth1


But not everyone is concerned nor aware of the safety issues it poses. I don't know what age you are, but regardless, around the time you hit 18 and continuing until about 25ish, most people feel they are indestructible.

You know what happens when these kids hear someone died from this? Do you know what they're reaction is?

"Rookie probably couldn't hold his liquor"

reply to post by Rockstar02


And how do they "as jacked up as possible"?

By buying the garnage drink that boasts high alcohol content and caffeine.

I'm assume they're dumb as # because people who are dumb as # are drawn to the "extreme" crap.

Originally posted by thisguyrighthere

Originally posted by HollowJacket
but when its in a can the size of an Arizona ice tea and its %12 alcohol with as much caffeine as an energy drink, I mean people have to know what they are getting themselves into

The fluid ounces, percentage of alcohol and addition of caffeine are displayed quite prominently on the container. In the case of some brands they are highlighted as selling points and placed in bold type with bright coloring.

Yeah thats what I meant, that people probably know what they are getting into but the responsibility to drink in moderation is on them. I still think this product should still be recalled...or at least not sold in regular liquor stores maybe confined to bars or clubs. I think they are gross anyway so my views maybe skewed.

this reminds me of the movie, Demolition Man...

Lenina Huxley: Ah, smoking is not good for you, and it's been deemed that anything not good for you is bad; hence, illegal. Alcohol, caffeine, contact sports, meat...
John Spartan: Are you #'ing me?

reply to post by Aim64C


Oh I don't believe in a nanny state and in this instance, social Darwinism doesn't seem like that bad of an idea.

It's just, I'm so close to that age and remember all of these trendy drinks and bad ideas so vividly that I KNOW it doesn't matter what someone hears or even sees. You know what the rage was a few years ago? Drinking and xanax. Something I never participated in, but saw the ramifications of which when a friend of mine backed his car into our house at 3:30 am.

It's just, people don't know what's good for them and in the absence of social Darwinism as you so put it, I just think someone needs to step in before people start dropping left and right. Or eff it, if no one wants to step in, like you said, let them find out the hard way I suppose...

Yeah, because we all know the people who go ahead and drink this stuff are totally responsible, just misinformed, and post-ruling from the FDA they will seek a more health oriented lifestyle and probably stop drinking alcohol.


..Or, these people will just go back to the coca-infused, drunken restroom sex and careless lifestyles they're so rebelliously fond of. Stupidity and reckless abandonment is adorable in the United States, and advertised as such after all.

Maybe the FDA needs to worry about harmful items that are in widespread circulation causing untold neural impairment to a good percentage of the US population, instead of focusing on obvious bull#.

reply to post by mnemeth1


What age are you?

reply to post by thisguyrighthere


Listen, if someone wanted to get all mashed up, they could go buy a liter of vodka, chug it and be done.

What I'm trying to say is this drink masks the effect of alcohol. It hits you suddenly all at once or at a point thats too late. If someone wanted to be extreme they'd go out and buy a handle of vodka and chug it in front of their friends until said person threw up.

Buying these drinks is the "cool thing to do" right now and THAT is why people are buying it. If you're old enough to buy a four loko, you're old enough to buy Everclear or grain alcohol which will get you TONS more trashed than a 4loko.

Originally posted by Rockstar02
reply to post by mnemeth1

 

But not everyone is concerned nor aware of the safety issues it poses. I don't know what age you are, but regardless, around the time you hit 18 and continuing until about 25ish, most people feel they are indestructible.

You know what happens when these kids hear someone died from this? Do you know what they're reaction is?

"Rookie probably couldn't hold his liquor"

The use of violence against innocent people to prevent irresponsible people from making bad life choices in the future is wrong.

Age is no defense for stupidity.

Many in this age kill themselves driving cars, riding ATVs, skydiving, alcohol poisoning, surfing, skating, etc. ad. naseaum...

The real issue is our freedom vs increasing overarching government control. The FDA is making corrupt political moves motivated by the corporations that control them.

It is about stopping corporate control of our government. A system more commonly termed fascism.

After seeing how Obama, Bush, Romney, Pelosi, and Reid have seriously messed up my state and country, I say, "Bring on the Communism!" Since the new entitlement generation has completely destroyed society, maybe a whole generation of communists might be a good change. We can take away their music, clothing styles, hair styles, internet, phones, cars, hard earned cash, video game systems, junk food, etc...

I am tired of trying to deal with Democrats; thus, fighting them on every other issue under the sun.

Fine! If the entitlement generation likes socialism, let us go the full distance and take it all away.

Let us not stop with caffeine in alcoholic beverages.

Next election in 2012, I am going to vote for a dictator.

Lets take it all away.

Originally posted by Section31
After seeing how Obama, Bush, Romney, Pelosi, and Reid have seriously messed up my state and country, I say, "Bring on the Communism!" Since the new entitlement generation has completely destroyed society, maybe a whole generation of communists might be a good change. We can take away their music, clothing styles, hair styles, internet, phones, cars, hard earned cash, video game systems, junk food, etc...

I am tried of trying to deal with Democrats; thus, fighting them on every other issue under the sun.

Fine! If the entitlement generation likes socialism, let us go the full distance and take it all away.

Let us not stop with caffeine in alcoholic beverages.

Next election in 2012, I am going to vote for a dictator.

Lets take it all away.

edit on 17-11-2010 by Section31 because: (no reason given)

After the congress succeeds in destroying the currency, you may very well get your wish.

That's how Hitler got his start.

Originally posted by mnemeth1
After the congress succeeds in destroying the currency, you may very well get your wish.

That's how Hitler got his start.

That is fine with me.

Even though I would hate to see it happen, I don't think we have a choice anymore. If at least one whole generation learns something, I have no problem in given up my freedoms to get a point across.

If the government is going to ban certain words and foods, they might as well start banning everything in society.

I think this might be taken slightly out of context. The FDA is not banning caffeine front alcohol, they are banning premixed beverages that contain alcohol and caffeine. So Jagerbombs are still in, but Four Lokos are out. The reason is because a beverage like Four Loko is just too dangerous for kids.

How is it dangerous? Four Loko is a malt beverage that contains caffeine, tastes like fruit punch, and contains the equivalent alcohol of four beers in a small can. The amount of caffeine in the Four Loko is enough to suppress the initial feeling of the onset of alcohol, which if you're binge drinking, will make you think it's not so bad and you can drink more. Eventually, it all catches up and smacks you in the face...hard. This phenomenon has earned drinks like Four Loko the nickname "Blackout in a can".

So, these types of drinks are being banned because they are dangerous, especially to college kids who are not particularly responsible with their drinking. They'll guzzle Four Loko like it's a bottle of Miller Light all night long and wake up in a hospital...if they wake up at all. On top of that, the artwork on Four Loko cans target a younger crowd and the price is just right for the underage crowd.

Bottom line, the malt beverage is dangerous in the wrong hands...and it found the wrong hands. So now, it'll be banned. No fear though, your vodka redbulls, Bailey and coffees, and Bacardi and cokes are still perfectly fine.