More heat on Four Loko

The heat continues to be turned up on Four Loko.

The energy drink that is a potent concoction of alcohol and stimulants is drawing increasing questions from those who question its safety in the wake of several incidents involving young people who got sick after consuming the beverage.

Yesterday it was the organization representing Pennsylvania beer distributors echoing a call that came earlier in the week from the state Liquor Control Board seeking a voluntary halt to sales of the drink.

All of which is coming as music to the ears of Chester activist Rocky Brown. Last summer he first started issuing warnings about the Four Loko, and questioned its potential role in the wave of violence among young people in the city.

Brown, who lost a bid for the state House to longtime Chester Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland, D-159, also serves as chairman of the Law Enforcement Chaplains of Delaware County. He knows of what he speaks when it comes to street violence.

Phusion Projects, which makes Four Loko, said it was disappointed in the beer distributors’ request and that it does everything possible to ensure its products are consumed safely and not by anyone under the legal drinking age of 21.

They’ll likely have a hard time convincing Brown of that.

Keep an eye on this one. Right now all the calls for the halt to sales are voluntary. It will be interesting to see if anyone looks to push a more formal halt to sales.

Comments