State AGs to Phusion: Reduce Alcohol Content

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October 22, 2015

Earlier this month, 17 state attorneys general sent a letter to Phusion Products LLC, calling for the producer to lower the high alcohol content in Four Loko products. This is not the first time a group of state AGs has addressed the company about potential dangers and harm from the Phusion alcopop - 19 state attorneys general and the city attorney of San Francisco reached an agreement with Phusion regarding its marketing and promotion practices. Yet it seems the company has forgotten what was in that agreement.

Along with removing caffeine from its products after the US Food & Drug Administration's warning in late 2010, the company also increased container size and alcohol content. Supersized alcopops also known as "binge in a can" or "blackout in a can" containing nearly 5 standard drinks, have since become the norm, lining the doors of store coolers where alcopops are sold.

Supersized alcopops are associated with increased dangerous drinking behaviors, injuries, and harm to youth.

Earlier this year, Phusion launched Four Loko Gold, a new supersized alcopop with 14% ABV and 23.5-ounce containers, the highest alcohol content of all Four Loko products (equal to 5.5 standard drinks). The company primarily markets Four Loko Gold through social media, where young drinkers flock to in order to gain access to contests and invitation-only, sponsored parties where the new product is served.

Click here to see our report, From Alcoholic Energy Drinks to Supersized Alcopops.

TAKE ACTION: TELL THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION & ALL STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL: PHUSION MUST REDUCE ITS ALCOHOL LEVEL