Virginia’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Board has asked liquor retailers to use caution when selling alcoholic energy drinks. Nearly 17,000 establishments received a letter from the board this week that addresses the possible dangers of the caffeine-spiked libations.
The commonwealth has tried to publicize the dangers of alcoholic energy drinks for the past two years. The board warns that many of the drinks contain high alcohol contents and often mix in large doses of stimulants. These drinks often appeal to underage drinkers, the board argues.
Caffeine-laced alcohol has come under fire in several states during the past few months. One drink in particular, Four Loko, has been banned in Washington, Michigan, Utah and Oklahoma. And shipments of all alcoholic energy drinks have been stopped in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York in just the past week.
Yesterday, the New York Times reported that the FDA is expected to act on caffeinated liquor as early as Wednesday, although what action they will take is unknown.
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