Four Loko Becomes Banned Substance, Changes Formula

Four Loko-estimated time of death: 12:00 AM December 13, 2010. It is hard to imagine that in the span of three months Four Loko has gone from being a beloved alcoholic energy drink, to being banned on several college campuses, and then being banned nationwide. The FDA sent Phusion Projects, the maker of Four Loko, and three other alcoholic energy drink manufacturers warning letters stating that the addition of caffeine in the drinks was not FDA approved. Phusion Projects stopped producing Four Loko with caffeine almost immediately. They were not, however, happy about it. 

"We have repeatedly contended - and still believe, as do many people throughout the country - that the combination of alcohol and caffeine is safe," the three co-founders of Four Loco said. "If it were unsafe, popular drinks like rum and colas or Irish coffees that have been consumed safely and responsibly for years would face the same scrutiny that our products have recently faced." 

College students in particular are up in arms about the change. Four Loko vigils and petitions are being held throughout the country and people are joining Four Loko facebook fan pages to show their support. 

Despite this bad news for Four Loko groupies, there is a silver lining; the drink will still be produced, only sans the three stimulants. The FDA doesn't seem to be concerned about the size or percent of alcohol in Four Loko, so it can be sold as long as there is no caffeine (or guarana or taurine). The only ingredient left of the original four is alcohol. Watch out world, here comes One Loco. 

The question is, will people drink it without the caffeine? Isn't getting riled up and brought down simultaneously part of the thrill of drinking Four Loko? It's difficult to say if fans of the original recipe will drink the new brew. But, for the time being they should be thankful that the 24-ounce "black out in a can" is allowed to be sold at all. 

In remembrance of the "four" in Four Loko, you are left with this gem of a lyric from rapper Ricosuave's hit song "So Loko (4 Loko Anthem)": "I know Jesus turned water into wine, but he would have turned it into Four Loko at a party of mine." Eat your hearts out.