Feds, Texas Take Aim at Cocaine Sales

AUSTIN, TexasThe energy drink known as Cocaine may have seen its last days in Texas and elsewhere after Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott obtained a temporary restraining order halting all sales and marketing of the beverage in the state. This follows a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warning letter sent to Redux Beverages LLC, the Las Vegas-based makers of Cocaine; the company calls the drink speed in a can and liquid cocaine, according to the lawsuit filed by Abbott. Following the FDA letter, Cocaine products were seized in Connecticut in late April for violating labeling laws in that state. Citing political pressure from FDA and several states attorneys general, Redux announced May 8 it was temporarily ceasing distribution of the energy drinkwhich is touted as a cocktail mixeruntil the legality of using the name Cocaine can be firmly established.

Redux stated it intends to challenge FDAs allegations, adding: Until such time as Redux wins that challenge, Cocaine Energy Drink, which was well on its way to becoming a contender against energy drink goliaths, such as Red Bull, RockStar and Monster, will not be available for sale in the United States under that name. Instead, Redux said it will rename its drink, with the new name to be announced in the coming weeks and the newly labeled product available for purchase soon thereafter.

Obviously, we were forced to stop shipping the drink as Cocaine for now, but were not done fighting for our rights, said Jamey Kirby, senior partner and founder of Redux. Weve received tens of thousands of emails and phone calls from consumers expressing outrage and disbelief that the government can ban a perfectly safe product for no reason other than it has a racy name. We tried to contact Yves Saint Laurent to warn them that Opium perfume could be next, but they were too busy enjoying the freedom of expression guaranteed by the U.S. Constitutiona freedom we here at Redux, sadly, lack.

He noted Redux had worked with FDA to amend the marketing for Cocaine, including eliminating one statement FDA had interpreted as making a claim to treat or cure disease. However, he was convinced the federal and state officials would be satisfied by nothing short of getting rid of the name Cocaine altogether. Apparently, the FDA thinks users of the illegal narcotic cocaine might, in order to save money and avoid jail time, instead purchase cans of Cocaine Energy Drink, Kirby quipped. Honestly, if we thought there was any possibility of that (which we dont), we would have charged a lot more for our product.

Abbott disagreed, releasing a statement that said: Texans will not tolerate the peddling of unapproved drugs. This advertising campaign entices young people with illegal drug references and false claims of health benefits.