Four Loko Must List Alcohol Content on Can: FTC

FRIDAY, Feb. 15 (HealthDay News) -- The maker of a carbonated alcoholic drink that is popular on college campuses will now be required to disclose exactly how much alcohol is in each container, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission said Tuesday.

The new labeling is part of a settlement over deceptive marketing charges that were filed by the FTC against Phusion Products and its "Four Loko" drinks, the Associated Press reported.

The Chicago-based company will have to put the new labeling on its flavored malt beverages that contain more than two servings of alcohol per container. And it will have to redesign the containers that contain more than 2 servings of alcohol in a way that will allow the container to be resealed so some of the drink can be saved for later consumption, the wire service reported.

The FTC had claimed that the company suggested in advertising that its 23.5-ounce can of Four Loko was equal to two beers when the cans were really equal to four or five beers, according to the AP.

"We share a common interest with the FTC in providing consumers with information and packaging options to help them make informed, responsible decisions," company co-founder Jaisen Freeman said in a statement.

In 2010, several college students in New Jersey and Washington state were hospitalized in connection with drinking Four Loko drinks, which also had caffeine in them at the time. The company has since removed caffeine from its Four Loko products, but it kept the high amounts of alcohol, the AP said.

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