Cocaine (drink)

Cocaine is a highly caffeinated energy drink distributed by Redux Beverages. It contains three and a half times the caffeine of a more popular energy drink, Red Bull, symbolized by three and a half steer heads on the label. Aside from caffeine the label boasts 750 milligrams of taurine, another common ingredient found in many energy drinks.

Cocaine was pulled from U.S. shelves as a result of the FDA's decision that Cocaine was "illegally marketing their drink as an alternative to street drugs". Redux Beverages began working on a new name for the product immediately. At the end of May, 2007, the Redux team decided to change the name to "No Name:" energy drink, with the new can label (sometimes still with the original can just covered by a plastic sleeve with the new name, allowing it to be peeled off revealing the old one) featuring a large blank space for fans to write their chosen name for the drink, covering the "Cocaine" on the can itself.^{citation needed} On 17 June 2007, the drink was redistributed in the U.S. under the new labeling.

However, Redux Beverages has recently announced that the drink will return to shelves under its original name in early 2008^[1]. Cocaine is now being sold as "Cocaine" and can be found on the shelves of many stores around the U.S.^[2]

The drink is available online or in local beverage stores around the U.S. The beverage is also available in Europe, where it has always been sold as Cocaine Energy Drink rather than Insert Name Here: (as it was briefly sold in the U.S).

Controversy

In December 2006, a group of law students from Cleveland State University's Cleveland Marshall College of Law representing Americans for Drug Free Youth and the Progressive Intellectual Property Law Association filed an objection to Redux Beverage's filing for a trademark on the Cocaine name, on the basis that it was immoral.^[3]. The student's lawsuit was thrown out because the students did not prove damages.

On May 2nd, 2007 it was announced via the official Cocaine MySpace page that Cocaine Energy Drink would cease distribution Saturday, May 5th, 2007. Kirby filed United States trademark application #77180241 for the name "Banned" on May 14, 2007. The FDA did not approve of the notion that a street drug was used as a marketing strategy.^[4] Opinions differed on whether the probable loss of the federal trademark would affect Redux's business. Jamey Kirby, the owner of Redux and inventor of the drink, had until April 2007 to file a counterargument, but sounded unconcerned about the probable rejection.

"All I have to do is look at the orders coming in and then I just laugh at the whole thing," said Kirby, adding that the company was producing about 200,000 cases of the drink this month and expected to double that amount in January. "As long as we sell drinks, I really don't care."

Health risks

One serving of Cocaine Energy Drink contains 280 milligrams of caffeine, roughly as much as 16 ounces of brewed coffee or three servings of espresso. This level of caffeine may pose significant health problems to young children, pregnant (lactating) women, and people sensitive to caffeine.

Plans to export the drink to Australia have been called off, as Australia refuses to allow it due to very strict regulations of amounts of caffeine in drinks (145mg/litre - 33.8 fl. oz, the equivalent of 2 cups of coffee).

Cocaine Energy Drink has now been approved for sale in New Zealand and Australia. It will be available the first week of November.

Ingredients

Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Dextrose, Citric Acid, Taurine, Natural Flavors, Sodium Citrate, Caffeine, D-Ribose, Salt, Sodium Benzoate, Inositol, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Sucralose, L-Carnitine, Potassium Sorbate, Guarana Seed Extract, Pryridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12), and FD & C Coloring.

Contents

Controversy

Health risks

Ingredients

See also

References

External links