FDA warns seven makers of caffeinated alcoholic beverages to remove caffine

By: Andrew Krammer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration told the makers of seven caffeinated alcholic beverages Wednesday that caffeine is an unsafe food additive to alcholic beverages, CNN reported.

The federal government could seize the products if the companies don't change their current form and remove the caffeine.

The move came after a year-long review into reports of hospitalizations and deaths, Businessweek reported.

One of the main arguments against the beverages is that the caffeine can mask the effects of alcohol, leaving drinkers unaware of how intoxicated they are.

Four Loko, a popular caffeinated-alcohol beverage, was among the companies that received warning letters from the FDA.