NEW YORK — A powdered alcohol intended to be mixed up into drinks has gained approval from a federal regulator.
The product, called Palcohol, had received the greenlight from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau briefly last year before the bureau backtracked and said the label approvals had been given in error. On Wednesday, bureau spokesman Tom Hogue said the issues were resolved.
Hogue noted states can regulate alcohol sales. Several states have moved to ban powdered alcohol, including lawmakers in Colorado who last month advanced legislation to temporarily halt its sale. That bill has since morphed to ensure the regulation of powdered alcohol as if it were liquid alcohol. Concerns include abuse by minors, snorting the powder, sneaking it into public events and spiking drinks.
