COCAINE (DRINK)

'Cocaine' (known as 'No Name:' in the U.S.) is a highly caffeinated energy drink distributed by Redux Beverages. According to the marketing, it is "The Legal Alternative" to cocaine. It contains three and a half times as much caffeine as the leading energy drink, Red Bull, as demonstrated on the label with "Energy Level:" followed by three bull heads and a half. Aside from caffeine the label boasts 750 milligrams of Taurine, another common stimulant ingredient found in many energy drinks.
On May 5th, 2007, Cocaine was pulled from U.S. shelves as a result of the FDA's decision that Cocaine was "illegally marketing their drink as an alternative to street drugs". Redux Beverages began working on a new name for the product immediately. At the end of May, 2007, the Redux team decided to change the name to "No Name:" energy drink, with the new can label featuring a large blank space for fans to write their chosen name for the drink. On June 17th, 2007, the drink was redistributed in the U.S. under the new labeling.
Cocaine's founder and senior partner, Jamey Kirby, maintains that the new name is temporary. He believes Redux will be able to combat the FDA's decision in court. Kirby: "Oh, we'll get our name back. We'll get it back."

The beverage is also available in Europe, where it is still sold as Cocaine Energy Drink rather than Insert Name Here: as it is in the U.S.
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Contents

Controversy

Australian Sale

Taste

Health risks

Ingredients

Trivia

References

External links

Controversy

In December 2006, a group of law students representing Americans for Drug Free Youth and the Progressive Intellectual Property Law Association filed an objection to Redux Beverage's filing for a trademark on the Cocaine name, on the basis that was immoral.^[1]
On May 2nd, 2007 it was announced via the official Cocaine MySpace page that Cocaine Energy Drink would cease distribution Saturday, May 5th, 2007. Kirby filed United States trademark application #77180241 for the name ''Banned'' on May 14, 2007. The FDA did not approve of the notion that a street drug was used as a marketing strategy.^[2]

Australian Sale

Although the energy drink was originally going to be imported to Australia, that is no longer planned, as Australia refuses to allow it due to very strict regulations of amounts of caffeine in drinks (145mg/litre - 33.8 fl. oz).

Taste

Cocaine supposedly tastes like a "fruity fireball", with a burning and numbing down the throat. Often times this is reported as soothing but others complain that the feeling is uncomfortable.

Health risks

One serving of Cocaine Energy Drink contains roughly as much caffeine as three servings of espresso.
This level of caffeine may pose health problems to young children, pregnant women, and people sensitive to caffeine.

Ingredients

Redux Beverages has published the drink's nutrition label online.^[3]
Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Dextrose, Citric Acid, Taurine, Natural Flavors, Sodium Citrate, Caffeine, D-Ribose, Salt, Sodium Benzoate, Inositol, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Sucralose, L-Carnitine, Potassium Sorbate, Guarana Seed Extract, Pryridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12), and FD & C Coloring.

Fat	0g	0%
Sodium	200mg	9%
Carbohydrates
: Sugars	18g	6%
Protein	1g	0%
Taurine	750mg
Inositol	100mg
Vitamin B6		300% RDI
Vitamin B12		600% RDI
Vitamin C		100% RDI
L-Carnitine	50mg
D-Ribose	250mg
Guaraná	25mg
Not a significant source of saturated fat, fiber, iron, cholesterol, vitamin A, and calcium.
Percent Daily Value is based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

The caffeine content of Cocaine is 280 mg per serving size of 240 ml (8.2 US fl oz).

Trivia

★ Cocaine and its creator were featured on the ''Daily Show'', satirizing the controversy over its name.

★ Cocaine appeared in the video for the song "Ladies and Gentlemen" by the hard rock band Saliva.

★ On the "revised" can, you can peel off a wrapping, and under that it still has the original name.

References

1. With No Kicks From Cocaine, Students Halt A Trademark Maria Aspen
2. FDA Warning Letters
3. Cocaine Energy Drink can label (JPEG)

External links

★ Cocaine Energy Drink Official Site

★ Cocaine Energy Store The Official Store

★ Morning Show Central Cocaine Energy Drink Official Sponsor.

★ [1] A collection of articles from a Cocaine supporter.