Attorney General Mark Shurtleff glad USDA has agreed to probe

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has agreed to investigate the practice of adding alcohol to energy drinks.

The move was applauded by Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, who joined 17 attorney generals from other states in asking the FDA to check into the danger of alcoholic drinks that contain caffeine and other stimulants.

"This is a safety issue and we are asking the FDA to act quickly to protect consumers," Shurtleff said. "Most of the ads for alcoholic energy drinks are aimed at young people and all of the research indicates these drinks put young people at great risk."

Scientists and medical professionals, in a supporting letter to the FDA, offered research that found the use of caffeine and other stimulants as additives to alcoholic beverages poses serious public health and safety risks. The recent studies confirm that caffeine appears to mask, but not reduce, the intoxicating effects of alcohol, which may lead to increased risk-taking and other serious alcohol-related problems such as traffic accidents, violence, sexual assault and suicide.

The FDA responded to the letters, asking nearly 30 manufacturers to show that the beverages are "generally recognized as safe" or otherwise lawful under agency regulations. The FDA has given the manufacturers 30 days to submit the requested information.