U.S. Senator Introduces Measure to Ban Powdered Alcohol

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer of New York has introduced a measure to ban the production, sale and possession of powdered alcohol, NPR reports. Schumer’s announcement came two days after a federal agency announced it had approved sale of the product, called “Palcohol.”

Palcohol could arrive in stores this summer.

“I am in total disbelief that our federal government has approved such an obviously dangerous product, and so, Congress must take matters into its own hands and make powdered alcohol illegal,” Schumer said in a statement. “Underage alcohol abuse is a growing epidemic with tragic consequences and powdered alcohol could exacerbate this.”

Last year, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau approved labels for powdered alcohol. It then said the approval had been a mistake. Lipsmark, the company that makes Palcohol, plans to sell four powdered products: cosmopolitan, margarita, a vodka and a rum. The product will be sold in foil pouches that can be used as a glass. A person pours in five ounces of water, zips up the bag and shakes it until the powder dissolves.

Several states, including Louisiana, South Carolina and Vermont, have banned the use/sale of powdered alcohol, and a number of other states are considering similar legislation.

Senator Schumer introduced a bill last year to ban powdered alcohol. Last May, Schumer urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent federal approval of powdered alcohol. He said it could become “the Kool-Aid of teen binge drinking.” Schumer noted the product can be mixed with water, sprinkled on food or snorted. He asked the FDA to investigate the potential harmful effects of the product.