Class-Action Lawsuit Targets Four Loko

CHICAGOA class-action lawsuit has been filed in the Southern District Court of California alleging  Phusion Projects LLC, makers of Four Loko energy drinks of deceiving consumers about the controversial drinks potency.

As reported by Crains Chicago Business, the lawsuit was filed on behalf of Jacqueline Richardson and claims Phusion Projects committed fraud and violated California consumer protection law by disguising the drink's dangers with vibrant packaging. Each can of Four Loko contains the caffeine equivalent of a cup of coffee and about as much alcohol as in four to five beers, according to the complaint.

In November 2010 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned Four Loko and three other companies that their products were unsafe and illegal and could not remain in the marketplace in their current form. Specifically, FDA said the caffeine added to the malt alcoholic beverages is an unsafe food additive." Phusion Projects has since reformulated its products to remove caffeine, guarana and taurine nationwide.

Experts have raised concerns that caffeine can mask some of the sensory cues individuals might normally rely on to determine their level of intoxication. FDA said peer-reviewed studies suggest that the consumption of beverages containing added caffeine and alcohol is associated with risky behaviors that may lead to hazardous and life-threatening situations.