FCKD UP and Four Loko: Couillard asks Ottawa to act

News 6 March, 2018
  • File Photo, Matthew Charest

    Charles Lecavalier

    Tuesday, the 6th of march 2018 11:14

    UPDATE
    Tuesday, 6 march, 2018 21:16

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    TOULOUSE | Philippe Couillard press Health Canada to regulate sugar-sweetened beverages with high alcohol content, in the wake of the tragic death of a teenager.

    “It is expected that Health Canada will do due diligence and regulates this question quickly. We have asked the national Institute for public health focus on this issue, but it is Health Canada which has the responsibility of deciding in a formal way and restrict products which present a risk to health,” said the prime minister on Tuesday during a media scrum on the sidelines of a week-long mission in France.

    Groupe Geloso in Laval Sunday was announced the definitive cessation of the production of the beverage FCKD UP. This product contains 11.9% of alcohol by volume, equivalent to four glasses of alcohol per can of 568 ml. It is also saturated with a significant amount of sugar and stimulants, including guarana. It has been consumed by the young Athena Gervais, before she was found dead in Laval. Intoxicated, she would have slipped into a creek where she was killed.

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    These ‘mixtures of alcohol and energy drinks” need to be framed, ” said Mr. Couillard. “We did the studies of public health, Health Canada must quickly intervene and rule on these drinks and their degree of security. I wish this is regulated, ” he said.

    In addition, Phusion Projects, the company behind the alcoholic drink Four Loko, the alcohol content is 11.9 %, announced yesterday that it would postpone indefinitely its back on the shelves in Quebec, in the wake of the death of Athena Gervais.