North Carolina governor wants alcoholic energy drinks off shelves

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Gov. Beverly Perdue wants energy drinks containing alcohol to be pulled from North Carolina store shelves.

In a statement Friday, Perdue asked manufacturers of the beverages to pull their products from North Carolina until they're shown to be safe.

The state ABC Commission, which regulates alcohol sales, will take up the question of restricting the drinks at a meeting on Nov. 18.

Michigan, Utah, Oklahoma and Washington State have issued short-term emergency bans on such products. The federal Food and Drug Administration is currently reviewing their safety.

Officials say the combination of alcohol and stimulants like caffeine can be dangerous in large quantities. Last month, nine college students in Washington State were hospitalized after a drinking binge that included alcoholic energy drinks.