Senator to Introduce Bill to Ban Powdered Alcohol

/BY JOIN TOGETHER STAFF

August 12th, 2014/

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer of New York says he will introduce a bill that would ban powdered alcohol. He is also urging retailers to boycott the product’s sale, which he says could hit store shelves as early as September, according to USA Today.

In May, Schumer urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent federal approval of the powdered alcohol product called Palcohol. 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.

In a news release, Schumer said the FDA has refused to investigate the health risks of Palcohol.

The company that makes Palcohol, Lipsmark, says it plans to offer powdered alcohol in six varieties, including rum, vodka, Cosmopolitan, Mojito, Powderita and Lemon Drop. According to the company, a package of Palcohol weighs about an ounce and can fit into a pocket. It warns people not to snort the powder. Lipsmark says the product would be painful to snort, and will be sold under the same restrictions as liquid alcohol, the article notes.