The Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission (TABC) has finally weighed in on caffeinated alcoholic beverages such as Four Loko, the soon-to-be-altered caffeinated alcoholic beverage that refuses to ride into the world of forgotten novelty. From the TABC’s press release on Friday:
"In light of Wednesday's actions by the Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission, we are asking all Texas retailers and distributors/wholesalers to get these products off of store shelves and cease distributing them in Texas," said TABC Administrator Alan Steen."I have visited with members of all segments of the industry and am pleased to announce that I have already received assurances from a significant number that they will voluntarily cooperate with our request. I know that all responsible members of the industry will get on board quickly and act in a manner that safeguards the public's health, safety and welfare."
The TABC will not be handing out credits to help get the controversial drink off the shelves because, as Steen put it, "It is appropriate for retailers and distributors/wholesalers to bear their own share of the costs in this effort to protect consumers."
The TABC plan on enforcing this by having inspectors go to various stores and make sure the products are not being sold. They also encourage anyone who is aware that the drink is being sold in Texas to contact TABC via e-mail at complaints@tabc.state.tx.us or by phone at 1-888-THE-TABC.
While some have felt the actions of the government at both the state and national level to police a beverage may be superfluous if not intrusive, it is no joke. Those retailers who fail to comply with the new laws could potentially lose their liquor license, something that would devastate most businesses.
As KUT has previously reported, the drink has been creating quite a stir over the last few weeks as the nick-named “crack in a can” has lead to a variety of alcoholic-mischief (and far worse) nation-wide.