BOSTON (AP) — The state liquor regulator has banned the sale of caffeine-packed alcoholic drinks, making Massachusetts the fifth state to outlaw Four Loko and other potent beverages known as “blackout in a can.”
The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission filed an emergency regulation Thursday banning the sales effective immediately. It says the beverages must be removed from store shelves right away.
The commission had originally planned to simply restrict sales of the drinks beginning Monday.
But it took a tougher stance Thursday after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said alcoholic drinks that contain added caffeine pose a public health risk.
Four Loko that has been banned in Washington, Michigan, Utah and Oklahoma. Liquor distributors in Connecticut have also agreed to stop distribution and deliveries of the beverage and its variants.
