[UPDATE] FDA's Four Loko Ban Officially On, JOOSE Has Opinion Too

With all the hoopla over caffeinated-alcohol-drink-of-the-moment Four Loko, we forgot all about other caffeinated favorites like JOOSE, Moonshot, and Core High Gravity HG. But JOOSE, which just released a Strawberry Kiwi flavor, wants you to know they're taking the now official FDA warning letters seriously. They say in a statement, "We respect the decision of the FDA, will be reviewing the details of the new guidelines, and will be aligning new FDA rules with the demands of our loyal consumer base. And, as we always have, will market JOOSE products in a legal and responsible manner."

The FDA has now officially released their warning about caffeinated alcohol beverages to four companies, and say "further action, including seizure of their products, is possible under federal law." Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein, Principal Deputy Commissioner, said, "the FDA does not find support for the claim that the addition of caffeine to these alcoholic beverages is ‘generally recognized as safe,’ which is the legal standard. To the contrary, there is evidence that the combinations of caffeine and alcohol in these products pose a public health concern." The four companies now have 15 days to notify the FDA of what steps they will take to remedy their "violations," or face production being shut down until they figure it out.

JOOSE supporters took to the company's website with their thoughts. One drinker said (sics and all), "I think this whole thing stinks! more bureaucratic bull we do not need! we loose our rights inch by inch unless we stand together! please set up a forum where we can voice our opinion and send it to the state legislators! if a hundred thousand pissed off people were pounding on their doors they would listen!" So far, unofficial Four Loko spokesman Eddie Huang has yet to comment on the situation on his blog. He's probably too busy stocking up on Red Bull and vodka, because let's not pretend they won't come for that next.

[UPDATE] In honor of our soon-to-fall friends, there will be a candle light vigil for Four Loko starting at 7 p.m. on the Union Square steps. The event says, "share your voice, bring a sign, light a candle and lets UNITE AS ONE to stand for FREEDOM and something greater than the individual .. AS ONE WE CAN BE FOUR." About 400 people have told Facebook they'll be there, though its unclear if the gathering will interfere with the Union Square Holiday Market tents that are being set up.