Calls for sale of powdered alcohol to be banned

Powdered alcohol took a while to be approved in the United States, but finally got the green light to be sold in March last year. Almost 12 months on, though, and health officials aren't best pleased.

The white powder (called Palcohol, funnily enough) that can be transformed into booze when mixed with water hasn't gained too many fans at the Baltimore City Health Department, where staff claim the product could lead to "abuse and misuse among both youth and adults".

Physicians and and public health leaders said a "lack of safety data" meant it shouldn't have been approved and they've actually managed to have it taken out of shops in Baltimore and Maryland state completely.

Other health members are being urged to oppose the 55 per cent alcohol (before the addition of water) product, so there might not be much more time left to turn that dust into a thirst-quenching cocktail.

[Via: Medical News Today]

Dave Turner is Mixmag's Digital News Editor, follow him on Twitter here