Texas House Passes Ban on Malt Liquor With Caffeine or Other Stimulants

Selling malt liquor containing caffeine, ginseng or other stimulants would be illegal under a bill passed by the Texas House.

According to The Associated Press, the bill would not apply to malt liquor with naturally occurring stimulants.

The bill’s proponents say drinks that mix alcohol and certain stimulants can lead to heart attacks and fatal car crashes. Critics say it could lead to regulation of other alcoholic beverages containing caffeine, such as Red Bull and vodka, or rum and Coke.

In November 2010, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned the makers of seven caffeinated alcoholic drinks, including Four Loko, that their products are a public health concern and cannot stay on the market as currently formulated. At least 13 states have banned Four Loko through their alcohol control boards, the AP states.