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Dr. Mercola

April 13, 2007
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Cocaine Busted by the FDA

Cocaine is the brand name of an energy drink produced by Redux Beverages. It is being marketed as "The Legal Alternative" to actual cocaine, and its logo is spelled out in what looks like a white powder.

The FDA has sent Redux Beverages a letter stating that they are illegally marketing the drink as both a street drug alternative and a dietary supplement. As evidence, the FDA has cited slogans such as "Speed in a Can," "Liquid Cocaine" and "Cocaine -- Instant Rush."

Dietary supplements also cannot carry claims to prevent or treat a disease. Cocaine's maker claims that the ingredient inositol helps prevent hardening of the arteries.

The FDA says the drink is a new drug and, as such, cannot be sold without federal approval.

USA Today April 11, 2007

Chicago Sun-Times April 12, 2007

CBS News April 11, 2007


Dr. Mercola's Comment:

This slapdown by the FDA comes right on the heels of a proposed ban of the ridiculous energy drink Cocaine by Chicago aldermen. "Cocaine" is supposedly 350 percent stronger than Red Bull.

"Cocaine" is one of some 500 energy drinks launched last year, but this particular drink has countless numbers of fans, mostly teens. Coca-Cola has ventured into the very same realm as of late with its dubious "fat-burning" Enviga.

"Cocaine" should be avoided by all pregnant women as caffeine has been associated with birth defects. The high levels of sugar will also push your health in the wrong direction.

Generally you will want to avoid specialty drinks and soft drinks, as these could have an enormous negative influence on your long-term health. If nothing else, soft drinks, energy drinks and fruit drinks are tainted with sugars that will raise your insulin levels, contribute to a host of diseases and accelerate your aging process.

Diet drinks are also harmful, because they're loaded with artificial sweeteners like aspartame. Obviously, I believe you should avoid ALL soda, but I am firmly convinced that diet sodas are far more harmful than regular sodas. That says quite a bit as nearly everyone who knows me understands that I am no major fan of high-fructose corn syrup.

Your best and safest choice: Drinking clean, fresh water.

Related Articles:

Don't Be Fooled by Coca-Cola's Newest Green Tea Energy Drink

Do Energy Drinks Really Give You Energy?

Are You Overdosing on Caffeine With Energy Drinks?
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Article's Comment     ( 30 Comments )
 
 
 +42 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY LM36   
Apprentice User
  
[ Joined on 12/06 ]
[ Posted on April 13, 2007 ]
Post Reply
The FDA is on a roll....what could be next?  That is the problem with the FDA they are unpredictable.  One day they fast track a useless drug that has blatant side effects.  The next day they are taking a stand against the blatantly marketed Cocaine drink, even though it has been on the market for quite some time and has already done harm.  The FDA continues to exhibit signs of contradiction in what it chooses to regulate.  There will be many more instances where a drug or drink is pulled off the market, but that is the problem they should never have been granted marketability in the first place.  How many times will Dr. Mercola have to say, "I told you so"!    
 
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 +10 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY proatc   
Savvy User
  
[ Joined on 12/06 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on April 13, 2007 ]
 
I agree, it should never have been approved in the first place if it is that bad.  However, just because someone comes up with a clever name and a product that is bad for you because the perfectly legal ingredients are excessive, doesn't necessarily mean the government is at total fault, its the lousy consumer who buys it.  No different in my mind than voting for a political candidate, thats their choice.  Listening to Imus is your choice. If you don't like it, turn the radio station, don't support that candidate, drink plain water, educate others with your voice to be healthy and read Mercola.com and others.

Where this situation is really bad is it just might start a trend and possibly ruin the whole nutrition supplement industry causing a rebound effect and regulation of all supplements, thats my fear.  We have to carefully and cautiously get the government to regulate these awful drinks but not make them want to control my individual rights to speech, product and name development and the right to consume perfectly legal nutritional supplements or raw foods.  Feel sorry for states that restrict raw milk consumption, because I am getting really healthy on that stuff.

 +7 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY Birdlady   
Apprentice User
  
[ Joined on 06/06 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on April 26, 2007 ]
 
They do selective enforcement so people like you think they are looking out for your best interest. Don't be naive.

I think most of you are missing the point here.  They are saying that an herbal 'drug' should be regulated by them.  The government should have no say with what I choose to put in my body.  This is setting the precedent that ALL herbal formulas need formal approval by the FDA. That means bye bye vitamin C, D, your Fish oils, and anything else that is actually healthy.

Rather than looking at a story on its face value, dig a little deeper.

 +7 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY Russ Bianchi   
Savvy User
  
[ Joined on 09/06 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on April 13, 2007 ]
 
The squeaky wheel gets the grease is the rule. 

If enough people are harmed, die, or a product is outed ( a reactive model), generally (or eventually) FDA will get involved at some level, but only (GENERALLY) after it's outed. 

The dirty secret is FDA does not tell anyone that they do not possibly have enough enforcement types to go after everyone, so they pick and choose at random, and make examples of some, to keep most in line.

Unfortunately, the wheels are off the axels in a growing number of categories of food, flavors, cosmetics, beverages, drugs, imports, ingredients, and dietary supplements, HARMING consumers, so the 'grease' is of little good.

The take away message remains: YOU must take control of your own health, and NOT rely with any certainty of real safety from any regulators in any category!

 +5 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY Witch Doctor   
Apprentice User
  
[ Joined on 09/06 ]
Author of the Article [ Posted on April 14, 2007 ]
 
"Cocaine has a cherry, or fireball, taste and contains taurine, an amino acid important in making bile to aid digestion; guarana, a seed from South America that contains caffeine; dextrose; vitamin C; vitamins B-6 and B-12; and inositol. The drink contains 70 calories, and has only the necessary ingredients for the energy kick, which is advertised to last up to five hours. The sugar buzz is derived from the dextrose, a simple sugar that doesn't need to be broken down by the body, and a larger dose of vitamin B-12."

I agree with proatc about the FDA using this as a test case or precedent to outlaw "energizing" supplements.  Look at the list of ingredients:

1) taurine
2) guarana (herb contains caffeine)
3) dextrose (only 70 calories - pretty modest)
4) Vitamin C
5) Vitamin B6
5) Vitamin B12
6) Inositol

Guarana is for sale in health food stores.  This thing could be a nutritional supplement in a health food store.  Supplements are next.  Just my opinion.

 +4 Points           
 
Author of the Article
BY GRAYWOLF