Category: Product controversies

In 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially declared that the caffeinated alcoholic beverage Four Loko was a public health concern, leading to its reformulation. So what was wrong with the old Four Loko, dubbed the 'blackout in a can' by critics, that made it so controversial and ultimately led to its removal from shelves in its original form?.

In 2023, Senator Chuck Schumer called for an FDA investigation into Prime energy drinks, citing their "eye-popping" caffeine levels and marketing tactics that appeared to target youth. The ensuing public and regulatory scrutiny revealed a multifaceted Prime energy drink scandal, including international bans, class-action lawsuits, and broader concerns about influencer-driven brand promotion.