BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Haggen Food & Pharmacy stores have stopped selling the caffeinated malt beverage Four Loko, which is blamed for sickening Central Washington University students at an off-campus party.
The Bellingham-based chain has 32 locations in Washington and Oregon, including Top Food and Drug stores.
Haggen spokeswoman Becky Skaggs says the store took the action Tuesday in response to Attorney General Rob McKenna's call for a ban on sugary, alcoholic energy drinks aimed at young people.
"After studying this issue for some time, we've seen consensus build among health experts and law-enforcement officials about the public-safety risk posed by people consuming beverages with caffeine and above-average alcohol content," Skaggs said in a press release. "The right thing to do for our communities is to immediately stop sales of Four Loko and Joose, regardless of if or when a government agency bans them."
