Blumenthal
HARTFORD, Conn (Legal Newsline) - Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal is urging the Federal Trade Commission to stop what he says are deceptive marketing techniques of a controversial alcoholic energy drink.
In a letter sent to the FTC Friday, Blumenthal accused Constellation Brands, the maker of the drink Wide Eye, of having their eyes "wide shut, failing to see that it's creating wide-eyed drunks."
"The manufacturer should agree to cease making this drink, as Miller Coors and Anheuser-Busch have done with their alcoholic energy drinks at our urging," Blumenthal said.
Attorneys general from Maine and Maryland joined Blumenthal in denouncing the drink while urging the FTC to prohibit deceptive marketing that allegedly makes young drinkers believe caffeine counteracts the alcohol content.
Blumenthal said an FTC agreement with the company does not prohibit deceptive marketing of the drink, or require warning labels informing consumers of the dangers of mixing stimulants and alcohol.
"The FTC needs to open its eyes to see that its agreement fails to stop dangerously deceptive marketing of alcoholic energy drinks to young consumers," Blumenthal said.
"We are calling for a stronger, safer agreement with Constellation Brands to stop misleading marketing of Wide Eye, starting with its name."