Four Loko Ingredients
84What Ingredients are in Four Loko?
Four Loko is an energy drink with a high alcohol content that boasts of a 'kick' of caffeine. Three alumni from Ohio State University created the power drink in 2006 where it was first introduced in Ohio, then Arizona, California and then Illinois by the middle of that same year. This energy drink contains the usual suspects, caffeine and taurine but also adds the kicker of alcohol that is three times that of a regular beer.
According to Law Enforcement Chaplain Rev. Rocky Brown lll of Delaware County, PA., "the drink has brought with it blackout effect's on young people who consume the drink." He even stated that adults have been buying the alcohol based energy drink for minors who stand out front of stores looking to acquire the malt beverage. He assertively called the beverage "legalized liquid cocaine."
Four Loko's Other Ingredients
Prior to launching in the US, the drink line offered a variety of fruity flavors including orange, grape, and watermelon. It usually is packaged in 16 oz. cans compared to the 8.3 oz. bottle in the European Union-Netherlands (the EU version also contains absinthe and is not malt based like the USA beverage, but rather a spirit-based drink). In the USA the alcohol amounts vary from state to state depending on the legal percentage allowed in your state. It can be anywhere from 6% ABV (in Indiana) up to 12% in other states. It is carbonated and contains sugar, natural flavoring and artificial flavoring. The "Four Loko" commercial tag is in reference to the "four " other ingredients; caffeine, taurine, Guarana and wormwood (wormwood is an active ingredient in absinthe).
Recently the 16 oz. can has taken on 7.5 extra ounces (for a total of 23.5 oz.) and is being marketed in the USA as "Four Maxed." This power-house of power-drinks weighs in at approximately 660 scale-tipping calories. Not just a power-house in calories, "Four Loko" ranked fourth in sales growth in 2009, among alcoholic beverages at 7-11 mini-marts located nation wide (Joose ranked #1). The cost of a can of Four is around $3.00.
The federal government has given a short timeline for the manufacturers of these type of energy drinks to provide proof that adding alcohol intentionally does not pose dangerous health concerns. This is due to the hidden intoxicating effect of the high alcohol content. The "King of Beers" had already agreed to reformulate their drinks of this nature back in 2008. Late 2009 the government re-stated their concerns to the smaller companies (like manufacturers of Four products) to, like Budweiser, prove that the addition of caffeine to your alcoholic beverages is recognized as being "generally" safe.
DRUNK DRIVING SAFETY VIDEO! Worth the 4-1/2 minutes
Some remarks from FOUR LOKO Consumers
- "Legalized cocaine in a can. If you consume Four Loko you can expect to encounter the same results typically associated with snorting a small mound of cocaine. "My dealer isn't picking up? Okay, whatever,.. we'll just get some Four Lokos instead."
- "Perfect for pre-gaming, but can easily result in blackouts and various kinds of embarrassing behavior. Loko is this crazy like alcoholic energy drink that has over 11% alcohol and taste like Hawaiian Punch, all my boyz are gettin' crazy off Four Loko. What kinda alcohol is in Four Loko anywayz? "
FOUR LOKO
Be prepared for the hangover!
Four Loko Hangover
In conclusion, we find Four Loko to be a welcome friend in the hipster and party communities. It dominated the energy beverage market and quickly gained popularity with young adults. Although the hazards of blackouts, crazy behavior, and I imagine wicked hangovers would seem to outweigh its popularity, we don't see this trend showing within the research. Should you decide to try one of these fruity energy giants, be aware of the potential results in behavioral and physical changes...you may want to call ahead for reservations at the local emergency room for oxygen and fluids to help combat the aftermath awaiting you at the end of a Four Loko night on the town.
FOUR LOKO UPDATE
Phusion, the manufacturer of the very popular Four Loko caffeinated alcohol drinks said they will pull the caffeine from its products, removing the blend off the market before the FDA announces the ban against the beverage. They also said in a post on their website that the company will remove the caffeine and two other ingredients (most likely the Taurine and Guarana energy components) from its Four Loko beverages.
Their website post came as the FDA findings reveal caffeine is an unsafe (food) additive when combined with alcohol. That in all reality will ban Four Loko and alldrinks like it. According to Sen. Chuck Schumer, the ruling "should be the nail in the coffin of these dangerous and toxic drinks." Schumer has been fighting long and hard trying to convince the Obama administration to ban the beverages.
Phusion's website statements make it clear that they feel they have little to no choice but to remove the products, even as federal regulators could not confirm Schumer's comments regarding the ban being inevitable.
FOUR LOKO
More Information on FOUR LOKO
- Four Loko Ingredients
Why "Four Loko Ingredients" get such a bad rap. - 23 months ago
- Four Loko Ingredients Get Loko Banned
Four Loko ingredients are the reason the caffinated alcoholic beverage gates banned. - 20 months ago
- Energy Drinks - Relaxation Drinks - Four Loko - New Drinks
This article covers energy drinks, relaxation drinks and Four Lokos. - 12 months ago
- Four Lokos: Friend or Foe?
Ah, Four Lokos. - 21 months ago
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FOUR LOKO
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Comments for "Four Loko Ingredients"Loading...
This shit is fucking dangerous... Alcohol and caffeine and whatever other crazy chemicals that are in this drink are NOT a good combination. Just stick to ONE drug at a time! not FOUR! I just drank this poison last night with my boyfriend. I ended up antagonizing him in his sleep to the point where we got into a physical fight! I was in tears... Scratches, bruises and swollen lips were to be discovered the next morning. We don't even have an abusive relationship, but this drink will seriously screw with your brain and turn you into a machine. Buyer beware...
I drink lokos n blast everyday
I've never had the desire to give Four Loko a try. I do like Guarana soft drinks though. Interesting hub.
bahramyou~Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I can see you have strong feelings about my post not being appropriate due to the fact that I have not tried four loko. I really believe that my tasting four loko has little to do with the safety issues presenting within the post. It is not my intention to tell people if I like or dislike the flavor of four loko, but rather to give fair warning to parents and young/new drinkers as to what the authorities are describing. Seeing the results and condition of drinkers of four is proof enough for me that it CAN be a dangerous combination of ingredients when caffeine, taurine and alcohol are combine in a beverage that wraps itself in brightly colored youthful hip packaging. Marketing company's spend billions of dollars to research their market. You can not tell me that this drink is Not directly marketed toward young drinkers. I think it is a trap but, a brilliant marketing strategy for louring young/new drinkers; but four loko and drinks like it can still be dangerous. I think the safety of unknowing young drinkers is more important than me slamming a loko to prove a point. But thanks again for playing along, I am always happy to hear another take on a subject!
~Always Choose Love~
K9
K9keystrokes 5 months ago
peacefulchaos~Thanks for commenting. It is always good to have another perspective on a topic. I have heard that the taste of loko is pretty insense, and does take some getting used to. Regarding the reference to cocaine, I'm pretty sure that if I were to 'lick' an electrical outlet I would get shocked-It would not be necessary to try it- it's a stretch comparison but one I felt compelled to make. I appreciate you stoping by and reading!
~Always choose love~
K9
I think it is funny that you take the time to write this entire post and have never tried one. Does not make much sense to condem or review a product that you have no personal experience with. I have had these many times. Every story in the media describes underage individuals consuming several cans or mixing several drinks. I honestly can not see anyone "blacking out" from these unless they consumed more then one can. If they do, they more than likely have no drinking experience since the alcohol content is posted in huge letter on the outside. People who mistake this as an energy drink must have some sort of mental anguish because the cans are covered with alchol references, one being "We ID."
You guys are idiots. Obviously the guys who wrote this never had a four loko before. Yeah, they're 12% alc. vol. with caffine. It tells you that on the can in big bold letters. You should at least just put a warning on the can instead of ruining the ingredients. Take it from a drinker, no caffine, no sell. There are so many alternatives. And another thing. You're comparing of a flavored malt liquer with caffine to cocaine is rediculouse. You're using mind tricks to scare people into agreeing with you and it's stupid. Tell people to drink 2 of them instead of 10 at a time. Put a consumtion limit like on energy drinks. If worse comes to worse, move them to the liquer stores. Just please don't screw up the best drink on earth.
This article has many incorrect flaws. Lets start,
1. "that is three times that of a regular beer". Do you mean ABV%? or just amounts consumed? If you drink any imperial IPA or Belgian Triple, Quad; or even Strong Ales like Stones Double bastard they're all comparable to four loko in ABV. Good craft beer taste a hell of a lot better thank four loko.
Two, "legalized cocaine". I can't believe that was used as reference. Getting drunk and blacking out on shitty malt liquor is nothing in comparison cocaine.
Young teens know what 12oz beer cans and 12oz sodas can look like.
Ugh this is so stupid. Four lokos are awesome and to take out the caffeine and make them not as powerful is dumb, if your dying because of drinking too many then your ignorant like its obvious that they are very strong and its not a secret...i have had plentyyyy and they arent like cocaine thats so stupid lol they just make you have a good time and you wake up perfectly fine. So convenient just 3 bux and a can and im good to go...sucha shamee...thanks to all the people who ruined it
The simple fact of the matter is that all individuals are born with a set of inherent rights that should never, under any circumstance, be taken away. One of these specific rights is that we control our bodies, and we alone can control our bodies. What we put into our mouths and our bodies is our choice and our choice alone.
So to somehow ban a product for not being recognized as "generally safe" is outrageous. Couple this with the fact that FDA still allows trans-fatty acids to be introduced into food, the continued use of corn-derived fructose (which has been shown to encourage metabolic syndrome and diabetes more so than just simple sucrose), as well as the legal use of artificial sweeteners, and we have incredibly hypocritical circumstance. If we let people engage in only some activities and only consume some substances which is detrimental to their health, while we ban the others that we find "objectionable", then what does that say about our society?
Banning a product that's selling well and that people can't consume responsibly isn't fair to the manufacturer and it certainly isn't fair to the consumer. I don't live in a nanny-state, so let me make my own decisions. It's not your life.
I dnt knw wut all the fuss is about, four loko is a great beer. I had 2 tall cans lastnite, not only tht, but i went too the bar afterwards and had a pitcher, thn went to my cousin's crib and had some vodka & kool-aid. The main problem is the kids who drink it like its kool-aid and want too have drinking contest or show off. I'm 28 years old & i've been doing this 4 along time, not only that but I know how too drink and I also know my limit. If these parents where parents at all then they would have raised a responsible teenager, & if these young adults in college had any common since they would know that malt beer that is 12% is not the same as Bud Light or Coors Light and it cant be drank the same way as you would those kinds of beers. Come on people lets not be ignorant all our lives, if you dnt knw how too drink or handle your drinks the least you can do is learn your limits. I live in Co. and we still sale Four Loko, if they stop saling it because of some kids playing games who obviously shouldnt be drinking in the first place i'll be a lil upset. I'm not saying that the drink is more important then someones life, I'm just saying that there is alot of things out here in this world that kill young people but they continue to sale them so what makes a drink so different? If your gonna stop selling a beer because young kids have died then stop selling guns or better yet, tell the Government too stop bringing drugs into the country & selling that shit.
I like four loko this has been my drink since it has come out it is better than a SPARKS. They tried to ban SPARKS and they are still on the market. As far as teens drinking this drink "WHY" and what are the partents doing about it. It seems like the parents are trying to blame someone for what their kids are doing instead of blaming themselves for it. I love four loko and i hope it stays on the market. What next they are going to ban all alcoholic drinks. I WOULD VOTE YES TO KEEP FOUR LOKO ON THE MARKET.
I am amazed reading some of the crap that some of you turds are typing. Here we go- PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY, if you don't scale on the meter- SHUT UP! Go to a cristian website and wine. Second- I keep reading teenagers? I really think the word parent comes up again!! Why are your teens drinking, and why are you not busting their butts and taking the Droid phones away? Put your irresponsible life styles on pause and pay attention to what your (young adult children are doing?), never heard that before. You need to hang out with real grown ups! I would suggest contacting local authorities and request sting ops to find out who is buying and selling to your kids. Bet its local drunks or other mom and dads! The company is not the blame here! YOU ARE! Start MAKING your teens obey your rules. Remember- they are the kids, you are the adult. PERIOD!! Everytime a company come out with a product that causes little Susie and Johnny to crash the family car, it is the companies fault! SHAME ON YOU!! If you spend the time helping and teaching your kids the best you can, you wouldn't have time posting your crap on the sites, local news and newspapers. And last- not getting my blood pressure up after I sit down and enjoy a LOCO and smoke a joint! URGGGHGHHHGH. Some of you are Jerry Springer candidates! To the future college grads- PARTY HARDY but be careful with these drinks. THEY CAN AND WILL CAUSE BODILY HARM!! PEACE TO YOU ALL!!
Four lokos is a great drink... I personally love it. In my opinion, the bahavior of a person depends on how there bodies can handlle it... I'm not just giving my opinion because I love to drink four lokos but because I know a lot of people that I hang out with that drink as much of it as I do and as of now we're perfectly fine.
I REALLY DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE BANNED.ME MYSELF DRINK FOUR LOKOS AND WHEN I D0 I DRINK ABOUT 2 OR 3 A NIGHT.IT DOES SAY DO NOT DRINK MORE THAN TWO A DAY.A CLEAR WARNING FOR YOUNG OR OLD PEOPLE DRINKING A FOUR LOKO.IF THEY ARE GOING TO BANNED IT THE KIDS ARE JUST GOING TO BUY BEER OR LIQUOR.EITHER WAY IF YOU CAN'T HANG DON'T DRINK IT.MAYBE PARENTS SHOULD WORRY MORE FROM KEEPING THEIR SONS NOT DRINKINGTHAN BANNING DRINKS. I WISH YOU WOULD TRY AND BAN BEER. SAME THING.ALCHOHOL IS ALCHOHOL NO WAY AROUND IT.
AllShook~ Wow. I am so sorry that your child was in such a horrific state. I simply can not imagine the fear you had to endure. If you were to tell me that 3 beers put him in this state I would be shocked, but 3 four loko's, seems to be a trend for our young people. My heart reaches out to you and your family at this time of uncertainty. Thank you for sharing your story, I hope it will reach someone who has yet to feel your anguish. A difficult lesson for your son, possibly never again will this four loko beverage pass his lips! Blessings.
K9
My teenage son just was in the ER last night passed out from 4loco. He said he drank 3 large cans in 3 hours, blood alcohol level 3x the legal limit. He had fallen and hit his head, he was unconscious, finally started vomiting, then when he came around he was pulling off the equipment, swinging at the staff, biting and cursing. I'm a nurse...I've seen people drunk and on drugs...this did not look like a typical alcohol intoxication.
We need to ban Four Loko now! Join the campaign at: www.BanFourLoko.com
i have never tried 4 loko but i tried a step down which is called Joose. it's pretty much the same thing but i think 4 loko has more alcohol. Every time I would drink the Joose, Id end up blacking out every single time. i finally decided to stop drinking it and thats when 4 loko got popular. Everyone would TRY to get me to try to drink it, but I avoided it at all costs. Also, on facebook they made a page for 4 loko, calling it "black out in a can." Most of the college kids i hang out with think its "fun" to black out and like its cheap price. Also, my friend who is 6'4 and about average weight says he gets pretty drunk off these cans. So I do see a lot of concerns with this drink. My biggest concern is I have a heart problem, so i was warned not to drink anything with alcohol and caffeine because I could end of in the hospital, too. I doubt 4 loko will get banned but I honestly want this drink to go away. I couldnt imagine if one of my friends ended up the hospital because of this. Just wanted to share!
loveisaplague~I respect your opinion and your right to share it. Thank you for your comment and view of the four loko energy drink. You make some very good points and some points I do not agree with, but am glad you have the right to make them. Knowing all sides of any story is a very important thing. I appreciate your concern regarding the fair treatment of this very popular and high alcohol energy drink. Keep making a difference!
~Always choose love~
K9
girly 54 5 weeks ago
I had to of these 2 days ago u blacked out i ended up in jail ran over. A pedestrian. And have lots of legal issues right now all i can say is DONT DRINK FOUR LOKOS ITS DANGEROUS. This drink right now happens to be my worst nightmare