Your favorite drink in a powder? Palcohol gains fed approval, Many enjoy a drink once in awhile but a new product, promising the same taste and potency, is aiming to change the way you enjoy cocktails.
On Wednesday, the controversial "Palcohol" received approval by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.
But, what exactly is it? Palcohol is simply freeze-dried alcohol in a powdered form that and can be added to liquids.
You won't find it at bars but it could soon start showing up in liquor stores.
"There's concern for misuse of the product. The fact that it is powdered means that there's some portability concerns," said Dr. Paul Stromberg, a Carilion emergency room doctor.
Unlike traditional alcohol, Palcohol is freeze dried. It comes in bags not bottles. Therefore it's easier to hide on you or in a bag.
"There's a concern for misuse by snorting," Stromberg added.
The product's creator, Mark Phillips, says it's not intended to be used that way and would hurt to do so. Philips says there's no difference in its potency either.
"Palcohol is not some super concentrated form of alcohol. It's simply one shot of alcohol in powdered form."
Philips created the product for convenience especially for those who want to enjoy a drink while outdoors or far from home, a bar or liquor store.
"All I do is just pour about five ounces of water in there."
Shake and your properly portioned, on-the-go cocktail is ready. Still, doctors are concerned since the product is so new and its effects aren't widely known yet.
"You're not quite sure what your dose is and the concern for overdose would be increased exponentially," Stromberg said.
That's especially a concern if someone chooses to snort it or put it on or in food. There's a lot of buzz about Palcohol but according to Phillips, it's no different than this and the rules are the same.
"Only adults, 21 years or older with proper identification can buy it."
This is all Virginia's Department of Alcohol Beverage Control had to say.
"ABC will enforce the recently passed legislation that prohibits the sale, purchase or possession of powdered or crystalline alcohol," ABC regional agent, Carl Williams told WDBJ7.
Several states are working to ban Palcohol all together. According to the the company's website, U.S. distribution could start in the summer or fall.
On Wednesday, the controversial "Palcohol" received approval by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.
But, what exactly is it? Palcohol is simply freeze-dried alcohol in a powdered form that and can be added to liquids.
You won't find it at bars but it could soon start showing up in liquor stores.
"There's concern for misuse of the product. The fact that it is powdered means that there's some portability concerns," said Dr. Paul Stromberg, a Carilion emergency room doctor.
Unlike traditional alcohol, Palcohol is freeze dried. It comes in bags not bottles. Therefore it's easier to hide on you or in a bag.
"There's a concern for misuse by snorting," Stromberg added.
The product's creator, Mark Phillips, says it's not intended to be used that way and would hurt to do so. Philips says there's no difference in its potency either.
"Palcohol is not some super concentrated form of alcohol. It's simply one shot of alcohol in powdered form."
Philips created the product for convenience especially for those who want to enjoy a drink while outdoors or far from home, a bar or liquor store.
"All I do is just pour about five ounces of water in there."
Shake and your properly portioned, on-the-go cocktail is ready. Still, doctors are concerned since the product is so new and its effects aren't widely known yet.
"You're not quite sure what your dose is and the concern for overdose would be increased exponentially," Stromberg said.
That's especially a concern if someone chooses to snort it or put it on or in food. There's a lot of buzz about Palcohol but according to Phillips, it's no different than this and the rules are the same.
"Only adults, 21 years or older with proper identification can buy it."
This is all Virginia's Department of Alcohol Beverage Control had to say.
"ABC will enforce the recently passed legislation that prohibits the sale, purchase or possession of powdered or crystalline alcohol," ABC regional agent, Carl Williams told WDBJ7.
Several states are working to ban Palcohol all together. According to the the company's website, U.S. distribution could start in the summer or fall.
