Health Canada to launch consultations on sale of high-alcohol mixed drinks

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Ottawa, Mar 19 (Canadian-Media): Public consultations would be launched Health Canada today to reduce the percentage of alcohol in the drinks or the format they are sold in, media reports said.

"I am deeply concerned about the increasing accessibility and appeal of high-sugar, high-alcohol drinks in individual doses and the increasing number of young people admitted to hospital after consuming these products," Federal Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor was reported to state.
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​Ginette Petitpas Taylor

She also asked that Health Canada meet with provincial governments to discuss advertising, marketing and labelling that would reduce the health risks associated with these drinks. 

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard said earlier this month that "it is Health Canada's responsibility to make a formal announcement to limit products that pose health risks."

​Philippe Couillard/Facebook

​Quebec reportedly announced last week that only provincial liquor stores, commonly known as the SAQ were authorized sale of pre-mixed malt-based beverages containing more than seven percent alcohol, banning all other stores in the sale of such drinks.

The decision came two weeks after Athena Gervais, 14, died after reportedly consuming a can of FCKD UP on her school lunch break.

Mathieu Gaudreault, SAQ spokesperson said, In a statement that SAQ welcomes the ban on selling the potent, sugar-filled drinks in dépanneurs and grocery stores, but has not yet agreed to sell them in its outlets.

The production of FCKD UP had been halted by the company that produced it, but reportedly similar beverages were still on the market. 

American-made Four Loko -- sold in 568 ml cans, cost about $3.50 and the alcohol is 11.9 percent -- were removed last year and its manufacturer had reportedly announced that its products will not return to Quebec shelves "until further notice." 


(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)