By TIM HAECK
KIRO Radio

The Food and Drug Administration issued warning letters Wednesday to four manufacturers of alcoholic energy drinks often consumed by college students, saying the caffeine added to their beverages is an "unsafe food additive."

The combination of caffeine and alcohol in the drinks creates a public health concern and can lead to "a state of wide-awake drunk," said FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg. Evidence has shown their consumption has led to alcohol poisoning, car accidents and assaults, she said.

The government could eventually seize the products if the companies continue to make and market them. The companies have 15 days to respond to the letters and either explain how they will take their products off the market or defend their drinks as safe.

Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna applauded the action of the federal agency.

"What we're seeing now is striking and it calls for swift action. That's exactly what's being announced here today and we're deeply grateful for it," McKenna said during a news briefing.

Several state attorneys general had asked the federal government to investigate health concerns surrounding the caffeinated alcohol drinks.

"The average blood-alcohol content of the nine who were hospitalized was over .25," said McKenna.

Many college students, including nine at Central Washington University, have been hospitalized in recent months after consuming the drinks.

The FDA said experts have raised concerns that the caffeine in the drinks can mask a person's feeling of intoxication, leading to risky behavior. Many of those who consume the drinks are underage drinkers.

"We know these products are being marketed directly to young people. You look at the use of social media, that's extremely evident," said McKenna.

A convenience store customer in Mead, Washington, says it should be a 'buyer beware' situation.

"To do the background, it's somewhat up to them to look at what they're drinking, I mean, I'd never drink it," he said.

Washington Governor Chris Gregoire and the state Liquor Control Board have decided to remove Four Loko and similar drinks from store shelves, at least temporarily, starting Thursday.

"They're wide-awake drunks on our highways, putting the rest of us at risk," said Gregoire.

The makers of Four Loko are hoping to save their product, announcing they'll stop adding caffeine.

"We have repeatedly contended, and still believe, as do many people throughout the country, that the combination of alcohol and caffeine is safe," said Chris Hunter, Jeff Wright and Jaisen Freeman, identified as managing partners of the company that makes Four Loko.

White House Drug Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske said Wednesday that the FDA's quick action to decrease consumption of the drinks is critical.

"These products are designed, branded, and promoted to encourage binge drinking," he said.

The FDA said it views Phusion Projects' announcement as a positive step, but officials said they have not yet heard directly from the company about its timeline for taking the drinks off the market.

The FDA also issued warning letters to Charge Beverages Corp., New Century Brewing Co. and United Brands Company Inc.

Last year the FDA notified more than two dozen manufacturers of caffeinated alcoholic beverages that it never had specifically approved the addition of caffeine to alcoholic drinks and began studying whether it was unsafe and should be outlawed. The agency noted the mix's growing popularity among college students and its potential health and safety issues.

Wednesday's letters focused on seven drinks made by four manufacturers, but Deputy Commissioner Josh Sharfstein said he expects the agency's message to resonate.

"We expect these warning letters to be read across the industry," he said.

Rob McKenna, Washington State Attorney General, praised the FDA move after nine Central Washington University students were sent to a hospital in October after a party where the students drank Four Loko. He said the drinks' popularity has dangerously skyrocketed in the past two years.

"We can look around over the last couple of years and see something has changed, something is different," he said. "What we are seeing now is striking."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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