Legislator wants ban on caffeinated energy drinks

Kentucky teenagers will have to be 18 in order to buy high-caffeine energy drinks if state Rep. Danny Ford, R-Mount Vernon, has his way.

The lawmaker, left, told The Associated Press he plans to have the General Assembly consider banning the sales of the drinks to anyone under 18 when it convenes today, Jan 4.

Ford's move comes after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration deemed alcoholic energy drinks an "unsafe food additive." The worry is the caffeine diminishes feelings of intoxication, increasing risks of alcohol poisoning. Ford said he feels nonalcoholic energy drinks can also be potentially risky to children's health.

Kentucky legislators have considered, but have not passed, a ban on caffeinated energy drinks. "I think if we had some of the information then that we have now that it would have passed," Ford said. The ban targets carbonated drinks with 71 milligrams of caffeine per 12-ounce serving containing taurine and glucuronolactone. (Read more)