MILWAUKEE -- Twenty-five states asked beverage maker MillerCoors LLC on Wednesday to abandon plans for a new caffeine-infused alcoholic energy drink, reported the Associated Press. Connecticut attorney general Richard Blumenthal said in a statement that the Sparks Red drink is a "recipe for disaster" because adding caffeine to alcoholic beverages reduces drinkers' sense of intoxication. Blumenthal, New York AG Andrew Cuomo and the other attorneys general said young drinkers are especially vulnerable because of their limited judgment and risky behaviors in driving and other activities. They added [image-nocss] that they would consider other steps, hinting at a potential lawsuit, if necessary.
MillerCoors spokesperson Julian Green said the company still plans to release the drink on October 1. He said the federal Alcohol & Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau (TTB) has approved all formulas and labeling for Sparks. "We will continue to work with the TTB to ensure that marketing, labeling and formulation continues to meet all guidelines," he said.
The company said it was reviewing the letter and looked forward to talking with the AGs about it.
AGs and advocacy groups have long been targeting Milwaukee-based MillerCoors, a joint venture between SABMiller's U.S. unit and Molson Coors Brewing Co., and the nation's largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc., in connection with the making and marketing of such drinks. They said these drinks are targeting teenagers and young drinkers who are already drawn to highly caffeinated drinks like Red Bull.
Last week, the Center for Science in the Public Interest said it sued MillerCoors to stop the brewer from selling Sparks, saying it's going after teenagers with the drink. (Click here to read previous CSP Daily News coverage.)
On Wednesday, the latest group, which also includes California, Ohio, Illinois and Vermont, sent MillerCoors CEO Leo Kiely a letter asking the brewer to stop its plans for Sparks Red. "MillerCoors' decision to introduce Sparks Red defies increasing undeniable evidence from medical and public health professionals about the dangers of mixing alcohol with stimulants found in energy drinks," the letter said.
The 25 attorneys general said the new drink will contain as much as 8% alcohol by volume, and noted that was higher than other alcoholic energy drinks. According to MillerCoors' website, current versions of Sparks have between 6% and 7% alcohol by volume. By comparison, MillerCoors' beers Miller High Life and Coors contain just under 5% alcohol by volume, according to the site.
St. Louis-based A-B said in June it would reformulate its brands "Tilt" and "Bud Extra" to remove the stimulants they contain as part of a settlement with 11 AGs. In February the AGs subpoenaed documents from A-B related to its marketing efforts for the alcoholic energy drinks. A-B also agreed to pay $200,000 to the states that investigated its practices. A-B strongly disputed the allegation that its marketing for the caffeinated alcoholic drinks targets those under the legal drinking age.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.