FDA Looks at Caffeinated Alcoholic Bevs

WASHINGTON—FDA has notified nearly 30 manufacturers of caffeinated alcoholic beverages that it intends to look into the safety and legality of their products.  The FDA noted that it is unaware of the basis upon which manufacturers may have concluded that the use of caffeine in alcoholic beverages is GRAS or prior sanctioned. To date, the FDA has only listed caffeine as GRAS as an ingredient for use in cola-type beverages in concentrations of no greater than 200 parts per million. There are no food additive regulations that permit the addition of caffeine, at any level, in alcoholic beverages.