Alcohol and Caffeine

8/4/09 - State attorneys general and health-advocacy groups are urging the federal government to more closely regulate caffeinated alcoholic drinks, a small but fast-growing category popular among younger drinkers.

Proponents of tougher regulation are calling for everything from outright bans to warning labels stating that mixing caffeine and alcohol could carry health or safety risks. A primary concern of the groups is that caffeine and other stimulants may mask feelings of drunkenness, which could lead users to act recklessly, such as driving while intoxicated.

The drinks, which are sold under names such as Joose, Four Loko and Liquid Charge, typically combine malt liquor, vodka or another alcoholic beverage with caffeine or other stimulants.

States have already taken a tough stance against premixed caffeinated alcoholic drinks, especially in regards to marketing that they allege often targets underage consumers. Last year, about a dozen attorneys general secured settlements with beer giants Anheuser-Busch InBev and MillerCoors, which agreed to remove caffeine, guarana and other stimulants from drinks such as Sparks. But other companies have seized market share with similar products, including the makers of Joose and Four Loko, which are now under investigation.

Critics of the products, which include scientists and consumer-advocacy groups, have called for tougher oversight from the Food and Drug Administration, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission, all of which regulate aspects of alcohol sales and marketing.

Some scientific research indicates that people who consume caffeine and alcohol may increase their risk of alcohol-related injuries or other problems. A Wake Forest University study published last year found that 24% of college students who drink reported mixing caffeinated beverages and alcohol—such as Red Bull with vodka—in the previous month. The study found that those who did were more likely than someone who drank noncaffeinated alcoholic beverages to experience negative consequences such as an alcohol-related injury, getting into a car with a drunken driver or being taken advantage of sexually.

The Treasury's alcohol bureau says it continues to closely monitor marketing practices of companies selling caffeinated alcoholic drinks, in order to make sure they don’t imply the drinks will have a “stimulating” or “energizing” effect.