Powdered alcohols don't have approvals
NEW YORK (AP) — Don't expect powdered alcohol to hit store shelves anytime soon.
A product called "Palcohol" gained widespread media attention in recent days after it was reported that the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau approved the powdered alcohol, including vodka and rum varieties. But a representative for the federal agency said in an email to The Associated Press late Monday that the approvals were issued in error.
Subsequent questions emailed to Tom Hogue, a representative of the agency, were not immediately answered. But in an email message, Palcohol's parent company Lipsmark said it will resubmit the labels for approval.
"We don't have an expected approval date as label approval can vary widely," the message said.
Multiple varieties of Palcohol received "label approval" on April 8, according to the website for the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. Palcohol said in an email at around 5 p.m. eastern time that the approvals were surrendered "a few hours ago."
Earlier in the day, the company had said in an email that its founder Mark Phillips was traveling and unavailable for an interview. It said it wasn't releasing any information on distribution or pricing, and the company's website provided no details on how it makes powdered alcohol.
On its website, Palcohol says it plans to offer six varieties of powdered alcohol, including vodka, rum and four cocktails — Cosmopolitan, Mojito, Powderita and Lemon Drop. The site says that a package weighs about an ounce and can fit into any pocket. It warns people that the powder should not be snorted.
According to the site, Phillips came up with the idea because he is an "active guy" and wanted a way to enjoy an adult beverage after long hours hiking, biking or camping without having to carry around heavy bottles.
___
Follow Candice Choi at www.twitter.com/candicechoi
