Four Loko Sued Over Teens Death

CHICAGOThe family of a Virginia teenager who reportedly died after drinking two cans of a caffeinated alcohol drink has filed a wrongful death suit against Phusion Projects, the makers of Four Loko, in Cook County Circuit court claiming the company "was careless and negligent in formulating a caffeinated, alcoholic beverage that desensitizes users to the symptoms of intoxication, and increases the potential for alcohol-related harm."

As reported by the Washington Post, 15-year-old John "Bo" Rupp III drank two cans of Four Loko prior to attending a concert in September 2010. 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. Concert staff contacted the teens mother after noticing he "appeared extremely intoxicated." He was picked up by his mother Karla, but on the way home, he became paranoid and jumped out of the car, according to the suit. He was struck by an SUV and died a day later.

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.