“Warning: Do not snort Blow!” The maker of the latest high-test energy drink cocktail ? Blow ? discourages inappropriate use of his drink powder.
The Examiner reached the man whose name comes on the toy credit card with Blow energy drink?s promotional package after hours Thursday. They are not posing as any alternative to the illegal blow ? cocaine ? that his drink shares a name with, said founder Logan Gola.
He downplayed the risk of consumers snorting his powdered product or mixing it with other energy drinks for an extra boost.
“We definitely wouldn?t advocate that you mix it with anything that has caffeine in it. We?re at the upper limit,” said Gola.
Gola insists that with all the drug paraphernalia make-believe, they don?t market to children.
Predecessor Cocaine Energy Drink ditched its name after the FDA ruled in May that their “legal alternative” marketing violated rules governing unapproved drugs and supplements.
In addition to spelling out those words in a white powder, maker Redux Beverages LLC used the phrases “Speed in a Can,” “Liquid Cocaine” and “Cocaine — Instant Rush,” according to the FDA letter.
Gola said they don?t run afoul of the FDA?s position for several reasons.
“Their marketing as an ?alternative? for cocaine was directly opposed by the FDA,” he said. “We?re not an alternative to an explicit street drug.”
This despite the fact that their initial marketing included mailing packages wrapped in plastic to news organizations, complete with several vials of Blow, a fake mirror and a “Logan Gola” credit card.
Whether the FDA looks into Blow – the agency could not be reached immediately for comment – the powdered mix may face a copyright challenge.
The makers of Liquid Blow, introduced in June 2006, are positioning for a turf battle with the newcomer.
“Did the guys at Blow tell you that they?re infringing on my trademark,” said D. Gaudiano in an e-mail from Original Canned Goods LLC., maker of Liquid Blow. “We?ve marketed our product to have an ?Explosive Punch? or ?Packs a Punch!? from day one.”
Whichever wins any as-yet-unfilled court action, local drug addiction educator Michael Gimbel said he hopes they bankrupt each other in the process.
“Their name of ?Liquid Blow? also plays off the name of blow as a reference to cocaine, just liquid form.”
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