Caffeinated Alcohol Drinks Are Unsafe, FDA Says

Caffeine is an “unsafe food additive” to malt alcohol beverages, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration told four makers of alcoholic energy drinks after a yearlong probe into reports of hospitalizations and deaths.

The federal government may seize the products if companies don’t remove the caffeine from them, the FDA said today in a statement. The agency sent warning letters to Charge Beverages Corp., New Century Brewing Co., United Brands Co. and Phusion Projects LLC, the maker of Four Loko. The Federal Trade Commission also sent warning letters to the companies.