NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- The controversially named energy drink Cocaine has been from pulled from stores nationwide amid concerns about its name, the company that produces it said Monday, according to an Associated Press report.
The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) last month warned the company selling the beverage, Las Vegas-based Redux Beverages LLC, that it was illegally marketing the product as a street drug alternative and a diet supplement. (Click here to view the FDA warning letter.) http://[image-nocss] www.fda.gov/foi/warning_letters/b6312d.htm
The government said the labels and the website mention "Speed in a Can," "Liquid Cocaine" and "CocaineInstant Rush."
Earlier this month, several state attorneys generalincluding Richard Blumenthal in Connecticut, Lisa Madigan in Illinois and Greg Abbott in Texasdemanded that all marketing and sales of the Cocaine energy drink immediately cease in their states, threatening enforcement action against the company if it did not comply.
Madigan said the marketing and sale of Cocaine is in violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud & Deceptive Business Practices Act because it promotes the use of illegal drugs. She also said it violates the Illinois Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act because the company is marketing an unapproved new drug. Under the laws, Madigan's office has the authority to obtain injunctive relief and civil penalties.
This is a product that glamorizes illegal drug use and it is highly irresponsible and reckless, said Madigan.
She successfully pursued enforcement action against manufacturers of similar products such as Chronic Candy Pops, commonly referred to as pot suckers.
Advertisements for the drink described it as the legal alternative to the street drug cocaine and promote the use of an ingredient in the drink that creates a burning sensation to simulate the throat-drip effect of using cocaine. The company is actively promoting the product and recently hosted a Cocaine Energy Drink Launch Party in Chicago.
The company said that it plans to sell the product under a new name. It said the drink contains no drugs and is marketed as an energy drink. It has been for sale in at least a dozen states.
Under an image that read R.I.P. Cocaine Energy Drink (pictured), the company ran the following notice:
May 2nd, 2007
To: All
From: Cocaine Energy Drink
Subject: Cocaine is leaving us
Cocaine Energy Drink will cease distribution this coming weekend; Saturday, May 5th, 2007. Our Energy Drink will be released in a few weeks with a modified label in order conform to the FDA requests.
We want to thank all of you for your support. Product demand is enormous.
Thank you again!
Regards,
Jamey Kirby
Senior Partner/Founder
Redux Beverages, LLC
www.drinkcocaine.com
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