Four Loko (caffeinated formula)

Cause of death

Killed by regulation

Made by

Phusion Projects

The FDA told four manufacturers on 17 November 2010 that the caffeine added to their alcoholic malt beverages was an unsafe food additive and that seizure of the products was possible, a day after Phusion Projects said it would reformulate.

Three Ohio State graduates founded Phusion Projects in 2005 and launched Four Loko the same year, a caffeinated malt beverage in 12-ounce cans at 6% ABV. A bigger, stronger, camouflage-printed can in 2008 made it a campus fixture and earned it the nickname blackout in a can. Phusion announced on 16 November 2010 that it would strip out the caffeine, guarana and taurine; the FDA warned four makers the next day that the added caffeine was an unsafe food additive and that seizure was possible. Four Loko is still sold, minus the stimulants that made it famous.