Before discussing some issues, I feel I should talk about the Four Loko product. Four Loko is a malted caffeine and alcohol infused beverage. It comes in a 23.5 ounce can with about eight different flavors. The alcoholic content equals about 4-6 beers. Add the caffeine in about four cans of Coke plus a pile of sugar, guarana, and taurine and it becomes a pretty potent drink. Understandably, mixing caffeine and alcohol can have some foreseen effects on the human body. Alcohol works as a depressant and thus slows down essential body functions like the cardiovascular and respiratory system. Caffeine counteracts a depressant's effect because it amps up the human body and stimulates it into an alert state. When consumed together, caffeine will prevent an individual from effectively judging how intoxicated they are and in turn lead them to drink more because they do not feel drunk.
As adults, we understand how this product might affect us as we drink it. More than likely, a responsible individual will know before drinking too many Four Lokos that one might be enough to buzz or intoxicate them. I feel that responsibility and a lack of judgment are the real culprits in this situation and not the product. "All the hospitalized students were inexperienced drinkers - freshmen ranging in age from 17-19." This statement could not speak any more truth about the real problem at this issue's heart. These students were underage and "inexperienced drinkers." For starters, they should not have even been drinking, but we understand how easily it is for a minor to acquire alcohol or attend college parties. Secondly, Four Loko follows all federal guidelines and printed the 12% alcohol content quite visibly on the can. No reason for these students to think that Four Loko was simply an energy drink. Here we stand with underage drinkers abusing a substance and causing a stir and cause a situation where other "responsible" individuals will now be deprived a product they should have the freedom to purchase.
Consumers need to remember the concept of "Caveat Emptor" or "Let the Buyer Beware." This usually deals with real estate; however I feel it has some bearing to this issue. We all have the right to return or receive restitution for a product or services rendered that are defective or contain other issues. Yet, this right can be waived if the seller provided all the necessary information about said product to the buyer. An issue like this can have many shades of gray. If an individual buys Four Loko, the merchandise displays its contents and the standard government warning discussing about impairment and health concerns with consumption. When did Americans become uninformed victims and lose responsibility for their own actions? One knows that if you drink too much, you may get sick or even die from alcohol poisoning. Everyone takes the risk when buying a product and consuming it. When did the producer/manufacturer become the guilty party for an irresponsible and inexperienced consumer when there is complete transparency?
At present, a number of state governments have banned Four Loko and in coming weeks federal regulators will pass some legislation prohibiting these products. I am confused why there is such a governmental crusade in regards to this drink. In a press released dated November 10th, Phusion Projects discussed how the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been studying the product since November last year. It appears as though the government is targeting a subsection in the alcoholic drink business. They stated, "If mixing caffeine and alcohol is the most pressing concern, addressing it would be best accomplished by creating laws that apply to the entire caffeinated alcoholic beverage category - not specific, individual products and not just beers or malt-based products." Our government plays an intricate role in ensuring citizen's safety and well-being. However, the government needs to allow its agencies to conduct their research and produce its findings. Should government step in and hastily make negative conceptions about a product? It would seem that the real issue in this situation remains hidden and not discussed.
Despite all this, Phusion Projects conceded to all the mounting pressure and negative press in regards to their product. They will be taking out the caffeine, taurine, and guarana from Four Loko. By doing so, it becomes a short term solution to a much larger issue. We need to recall that the media and legal firestorm arose from an incident where "underage" drinkers abused an alcoholic product. America seems to be forgetting why these students ended up in the hospital: their irresponsible behavior. The discussion should be about underage drinkers, binge drinking, and alcohol-abuse education. These subjects and topics need to be brought to the national level to resolve this issue. Four Loko did not make these students drink and end up in the hospital. Blaming Phusion Projects and Four Loko conceals the real issue and will not prevent future incidents of alcohol abuse. Removing caffeine did not solve a problem. Remember alcohol, not caffeine, placed these individuals in the emergency room.
Sources:
Second Paragraph:
"Four Loko Sickened Several Central Washington University Students" quotation, The Huffington Post, October 25th, 2010.
Fourth Paragraph:
"An Open Letter to State and Federal Regulators" quotation, Phusion Projects Press Release, November 10th, 2010.
Fifth Paragraph:
"Phusion Projects to Remove Caffeine, Guarana, and Taurine from Products." Phusions Projects Press Release, November 16th, 2010.
0 comments:
Post a Comment