Haggen Pulls Alcoholic Energy Drinks

Reports of alcoholic energy drinks leading to alcohol poisoning incidents around the country has prompted Haggen Food & Pharmacy, Bellingham, Wash., to pull these drinks from its shelves.

The regional independent with 32 stores in Washington and Oregon said it pulled the drinks because it was the right thing to do for the communities it serves.

According to published reports, alcoholic energy drinks are popular with college students because of their high alcohol content and low price, and are linked to the hospitalization of nine Central Washington University students after drinking them at a party. The drinks have already been banned from some college campuses and two states have restricted the sales of these items to liquor stores.