Four Loko, the Chicago-based caffeinated alcoholic beverage maker, is chaning their formula in advance of an expected Food and Drug administration ruling about the safety of such drinks.
Phusion Projects released a statement that it would no longer add caffeine and other stimulants to its products, including Four Loko. The company's co-founders complained they faced a "difficult and politically-charged regulatory environment at both the state and federal levels."
The FDA is expected to announce its final decision that caffeine is an unsafe food additive to alcoholic drinks. Public health experts warn the drinks masks the true amount of alcohol they contain with the potential to increase the risk of alcohol-related injuries.
Washington, Michigan, Utah and Oklahoma have already banned the controversial drinks.
The Chicago City Council is considering a ban on the pre-mixed beverages.
A 23.5 ounce can of Four Loko contains 12 percent of alcohol content and sells for about $2.50.
