Comments for if I knew http://www.ifiknew.org then what I know now Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:39:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Comment on Four Loko Blamed for Another Death by ifiknew http://www.ifiknew.org/?p=1627#comment-5439 ifiknew Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:39:57 +0000 http://www.ifiknew.org/?p=1627#comment-5439 The above blog has been slightly revised from its original version in response to the following letter we received from Phusion Projects, the maker of Four Loko. ifIknew is committed to providing accurate information and therefore we agreed to remove references to caffeine and energy ingredients based upon information that these things were removed from Four Loko after the FDA’s intervention in 2010. We stand by our belief that these types of sweet, high alcohol content drinks pose a danger. Letter received from Phusion Project: To Whom It May Concern- We are writing to request corrections to your story, "Four Loko Kills Again" (http://www.ifiknew.org/?p=1627), as it includes many inaccurate statements regarding our products and it's potential involvement: Since 2010, Four Loko products have NOT contained caffeine. Please see below for our official statement related to the reformulation. "On November 16, 2010, prior to the FDA’s letter, we voluntarily reformulated Four Loko by removing caffeine, guarana, or taurine. We began producing the reformulated version of Four Loko on November 18, 2010. No shipments of our products containing caffeine from Phusion’s production facilities were made after November 17, 2010. We were pleased that the FDA commended us on November 24, 2010, for our decision to voluntarily reformulate our products." References to be clarified: • "This time, though, they had gotten an adult to buy them Four Loko, an energy drink and alcohol concoction that has been banned in four states and Baltimore City. The sweet drink has as much alcohol as four beers and as much caffeine as two cups of coffee." • "When drinking this mixture, people don’t always realize how drunk they are because they are so awake from the caffeine." • "Since the alcohol was mixed in with an energy drink, his body did not slow down which is the usual way our brains prevent us from continuing to ingest more booze." • "Because of the combo of ingredients in Four Loko, Michael’s brain got tricked into drinking more and it had deadly consequences, maybe not the usual ones you think of like alcohol poisoning, but the result was the same." Additionally, it is important to remember that because an allegation is made doesn't mean it has merit. We request the addition of the word "allegedly" be included when referencing the information in this story and others like it. I have included a company statement regarding this incident below: “Phusion Projects is extremely saddened by this tragic event and our thoughts are with this young boy’s family and friends. This accident, and others like it, speaks to the serious concerns regarding underage drinking and alcohol abuse. We work very hard to ensure our products are consumed safely and responsibly by adults over the age of 21. We are staunch supporters of the need for stronger enforcement of existing laws, which clearly state that no one under 21 years of age should consume any type of alcohol. Those that sell or provide alcohol to minors should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” References to be clarified: • "Four Loko Kills Again" (title) Please visit www.phusionprojects.com or www.phusionresponsibility.com for more information. There is also a Fact vs. Fiction document that you can refer to here: http://phusionprojects.com/factvsfiction.html If you have any questions please let us know. Thank you, Phusion Projects The above blog has been slightly revised from its original version in response to the following letter we received from Phusion Projects, the maker of Four Loko. ifIknew is committed to providing accurate information and therefore we agreed to remove references to caffeine and energy ingredients based upon information that these things were removed from Four Loko after the FDA’s intervention in 2010. We stand by our belief that these types of sweet, high alcohol content drinks pose a danger.

Letter received from Phusion Project:
To Whom It May Concern-

We are writing to request corrections to your story, “Four Loko Kills Again” (http://www.ifiknew.org/?p=1627), as it includes many inaccurate statements regarding our products and it’s potential involvement: Since 2010, Four Loko products have NOT contained caffeine. Please see below for our official statement related to the reformulation.

“On November 16, 2010, prior to the FDA’s letter, we voluntarily reformulated Four Loko by removing caffeine, guarana, or taurine. We began producing the reformulated version of Four Loko on November 18, 2010. No shipments of our products containing caffeine from Phusion’s production facilities were made after November 17, 2010. We were pleased that the FDA commended us on November 24, 2010, for our decision to voluntarily reformulate our products.”

References to be clarified:
• “This time, though, they had gotten an adult to buy them Four Loko, an energy drink and alcohol concoction that has been banned in four states and Baltimore City. The sweet drink has as much alcohol as four beers and as much caffeine as two cups of coffee.”
• “When drinking this mixture, people don’t always realize how drunk they are because they are so awake from the caffeine.”
• “Since the alcohol was mixed in with an energy drink, his body did not slow down which is the usual way our brains prevent us from continuing to ingest more booze.”
• “Because of the combo of ingredients in Four Loko, Michael’s brain got tricked into drinking more and it had deadly consequences, maybe not the usual ones you think of like alcohol poisoning, but the result was the same.”

Additionally, it is important to remember that because an allegation is made doesn’t mean it has merit. We request the addition of the word “allegedly” be included when referencing the information in this story and others like it. I have included a company statement regarding this incident below:

“Phusion Projects is extremely saddened by this tragic event and our thoughts are with this young boy’s family and friends. This accident, and others like it, speaks to the serious concerns regarding underage drinking and alcohol abuse. We work very hard to ensure our products are consumed safely and responsibly by adults over the age of 21. We are staunch supporters of the need for stronger enforcement of existing laws, which clearly state that no one under 21 years of age should consume any type of alcohol. Those that sell or provide alcohol to minors should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

References to be clarified:
• “Four Loko Kills Again” (title)

Please visit http://www.phusionprojects.com or http://www.phusionresponsibility.com for more information. There is also a Fact vs. Fiction document that you can refer to here: http://phusionprojects.com/factvsfiction.html

If you have any questions please let us know.
Thank you,
Phusion Projects

]]> Comment on Four Loko Blamed for Another Death by Michelle http://www.ifiknew.org/?p=1627#comment-5438 Michelle Mon, 27 Feb 2012 16:02:19 +0000 http://www.ifiknew.org/?p=1627#comment-5438 This is misinformation: Four Loko no longer has caffeine in it (unless Truluck managed to find a can from 2 years ago). The reason he got sick was because he was 13 years old and consumed a huge amount of alcohol. Regardless of whether he drank four loko and/or any other alcohol--it was too much for a kid that age. It wasn't the drink it was the kid and whomever gave or sold him the drink. This is misinformation: Four Loko no longer has caffeine in it (unless Truluck managed to find a can from 2 years ago). The reason he got sick was because he was 13 years old and consumed a huge amount of alcohol. Regardless of whether he drank four loko and/or any other alcohol–it was too much for a kid that age. It wasn’t the drink it was the kid and whomever gave or sold him the drink.

]]> Comment on LSD and other Hallucinogens by ifiknew http://www.ifiknew.org/?page_id=640#comment-1661 ifiknew Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:35:17 +0000 http://www.ifiknewthen.org/?page_id=640#comment-1661 We try to give both the "ups and the downs" of the choices we are confronted with. Thanks for the support. We try to give both the “ups and the downs” of the choices we are confronted with. Thanks for the support.

]]> Comment on FAQ: How do I know if I’m ready to have sex? by ifIknew http://www.ifiknew.org/?p=1014#comment-1659 ifIknew Wed, 14 Sep 2011 15:49:17 +0000 http://www.ifiknew.org/?p=1014#comment-1659 Good question. Yes, it is possible to get or give a sexually transmitted disease despite using a condom. They are the next best barrier to preventing STIs, after abstinence, but only if used properly each and every time. Condoms, male or female ones, weaken if used past their expiration date, kept in a wallet, or in a glove compartment. They are also not always used properly when the user is drunk or high. One other thing to keep in mind is that some STIs can be transmitted by oral sex. Good question. Yes, it is possible to get or give a sexually transmitted disease despite using a condom. They are the next best barrier to preventing STIs, after abstinence, but only if used properly each and every time. Condoms, male or female ones, weaken if used past their expiration date, kept in a wallet, or in a glove compartment. They are also not always used properly when the user is drunk or high. One other thing to keep in mind is that some STIs can be transmitted by oral sex.

]]> Comment on Minor Distractions, Major Accidents by Barbara L. Blum http://www.ifiknew.org/?p=1359#comment-1620 Barbara L. Blum Thu, 08 Sep 2011 17:28:34 +0000 http://www.ifiknew.org/?p=1359#comment-1620 You said it Rachel. No telephone call, text or song is as important as driving with all of your attention on the road. I would be hapy to be your p[assenger or to be in the car before or after you on the road. When a passenger do you insist on the drver not speaking on the phone or fiddling with technology? You said it Rachel. No telephone call, text or song is as important as driving with all of your attention on the road. I would be hapy to be your p[assenger or to be in the car before or after you on the road. When a passenger do you insist on the drver not speaking on the phone or fiddling with technology?

]]>