/ Courtesy: whippedlightning.com
A new cocktail topping is grabbing headlines and getting the attention of regulators. It's alcohol-infused whipped cream sold under the names Whipped Lightning and Cream in a Canister.
It's not kept in the refrigerator, but on liquor-store shelves and contains about 15 percent alcohol. That's a little more than most wines and about three times more than beer.
The drink is sold in several states across the country. Store owners in Boston say it's very popular. The Massachusetts Alcohol Beverages Commission is reportedly keeping an eye on the product.
It comes in many different flavors like Hazelnut Espresso or White Chocolate Raspberry. And while it may sound like a tasty treat, it doesn't come without a bit of controversy.
Experts say it can be very dangerous when put on Jell-O shots which already mask the taste of high amounts of alcohol.
You won't find it on store shelves anywhere in Montana. According to this article in the Billings Gazette, the whipped-cream products blur the line between an alcoholic and non-alcoholic product.
This is the second product in recent memory that's sparked controversy. Last month, the Food and Drug Administration issued warning letters to manufacturers of alcoholic energy drinks, saying the caffeine added to the beverages is an "unsafe food additive."
One drink that's been the subject of much scrutiny is Four Loko. The company that produces it announced last month it would reformulate the drinks and remove the caffeine. The company says it decided to make the change in light of "a difficult and politically-charged regulatory environment at both the state and federal levels."
The changes come amidst questions about whether or not the drink is safe. Friends say a Maryland woman died after drinking Four Loko. They even set up this website to try get the FDA to ban the drink altogether.
"This story proves how dangerous Four Loko is. This drink needs to be banned immediately," one reader wrote online.
For their part, the makers of Four Loko stand by their product, saying it contains no more caffeine than a cup of coffee. And some people agree, saying don't blame the drink.
"...if this drink is banned what is next, the gas that made the truck run, the truck itself, the telephone poles she hit, what will be next," another person wrote online.
Do you think alcohol-infused whipped cream should be regulated? How about alcohol energy drinks? Is the government protecting the public or overstepping its boundaries? Leave your thoughts below.
