The powdered alcohol substance, Palcohol, has been approved by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau–once more–says The Washington Post. Palcohol was approved by federal regulators in April of last year, only too see the approval reversed hours later. At the time, government representatives said that the approval was “issued in error.” If this new ruling moves forward successfully, consumers could see the freeze-dried alcohol on shelves as soon as this summer.
Bureau spokesman Tom Hogue told the Assosciated Press that all previous issues with the long-awaited product had been resolved. Palcohol will be sold by Arizona-based company Lipsmark in foil pouches that double as the glass, and will in come in flavors of rum, vodka and two cocktails – Cosmopolitan and a Margarita drink called “Powderita.”
Palcohol has been stirring up controversy since its accidental approval last year, with the likes of Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving speaking out against the product and urging that it be banned. Concerns over underage drinking, public drinking and easier ways to spike drinks are on the minds of those who find the powder dangerous. Several states, including Alaska, Delaware, Louisiana, South Carolina and Vermont already placed a preemptive pan on Palcohol before it was ever approved by the federal government. [Washington Post][Photo: Flickr/Kelly Teague]