Tuesday, November 23, 2010
www.msureporter.com
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Say goodbye to blacking out
Phusion Products to remove caffeine, guarana and taurine from Four Loko, liquor stores begin to pull beverage from shelves JENNY POLLOCK
staff writer
The possible banning of alcoholic energy drinks across the United States has manufacturers of products such as Four Loko changing their recipes. According to the New York Times, the Food and Drug Administration will be taking a stand against Four Loko. It has been almost a year since the FDA started its review of the caffeinated liquor drink. The energy drink and liquor combination has people worried. For about $2.50,
people can buy an individual 23.5 ounce can of Four Loko, which has the same amount of caffeine as two 7-ounce cups of coffee, and is 12 percent alcohol. “Four Lokos are black out in a can,” said Zach Gronholz, a junior majoring in manufacturing engineering. “Lemon lime is my favorite flavor. Four Lokos are the greatest invention.” Gronholz does not think Four Loko should be banned. Michigan and Ohio have already banned Four Loko. There is talk among MSU
students that the product might be banned in Minnesota, and some people think they need to stock up before that happens. Phusion Projects, the company that produces Four Loko products, said it intends to reformulate its products to remove caffeine, guarana and taurine nationwide. Its website states that the company has taken the necessary steps to remove the controversial ingredients and is informing employees and distributors of its plan. From now on, Phusion will produce
only non-caffeinated versions of Four Loko. What started the alcoholic energy drink controversy were deaths and illnesses related to drinking Four Loko. The family of Jason Keiran is suing the drink producer over claims that Four Loko caused him to behave so erratically that he shot himself. “If someone is stupid enough to drink too much of it, that’s their fault. They should know their limits,” Gronholz said Many people mix their
own liquor and caffeine, such as the popular Jaeger Bomb drink, and it is argued that Four Loko should be treated no differently just because it comes pre-mixed. “If drank responsibly, it’s no different than any other alcoholic beverage,” said David Rosencrance, a student at MSU. Some liquor stores are making the decision not to sell Four Loko on their own. Joseph’s Liquor in downtown Mankato will stop selling the product once it receives its last shipment this week.
A different kind of Thanksgiving celebration
Many international students use the break to relax and visit friends GRACE WEBB
staff writer
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In the United States, Thanksgiving is a time to get together with family, enjoy good food and remember blessings. Many Minnesota State University students will be heading out this week to celebrate the holiday with family and friends, but not
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all students are going home. Many international students will be staying on campus over break, while others have found different ways to celebrate the holiday. Natsua Asai is one international student who is staying in Mankato this Thanksgiving. In Japan, Asai’s home country, there
is a holiday to give thanks for a good harvest, but Asai said it is much different than Thanksgiving. Last year was Asai’s first Thanksgiving in the U.S., and she went to her roommate’s home for the holiday, but this year she is not planning much. “I will go to Black Friday!” Asai said. “For me, that
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is the most exciting [part]. Being an international student [with] no family in the U.S., I like Black Friday more than Thanksgiving.” Sodjine Kokouvi Ketika is another international student staying in Mankato this Thanksgiving. A computer engineering major from the African country of Togo,
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Ketika has been in the U.S. for a year and said Thanksgiving was a new experience for him, though his country has special days of thanks as well. “We do [have thanksgiving holidays], but not on the same day and not for the same purpose,” Ketika said. “There are Christians, Muslims and
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