The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has officially warned companies marketing and selling Coco Loko “snortable” powder and Legal Lean Syrup “mood boosting” drink that they may be dangerous and contain unlisted ingredients. Although these products are marketed as alternatives to street drugs, they may not be safe.
Beyond concerns that the Coco Loko and Legal Lean Syrup normalize and promote the use of illegal drugs, especially among kids, both products contain ingredients that may pose health risks.
Coco Loko — a “snuff” intended to be “snorted” — contains taurine and guarana, ingredients commonly found in energy drinks that have never been evaluated or approved for “snorting.” As FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said when discussing the dangers of Coco Loko, “there are very real consequences to snorting any powder.”
When the FDA analyzed Legal Lean Syrup, which is marketed as an alternative to getting high off of cough syrup, it found that the drink contains doxylamine, a sedative that Legal Lean never listing as an ingredient on its label. Doxylamine can pose a health risk for people with certain medical conditions or who have an adverse reaction to it, and should not be taken with alcohol.
The marketing of Coco Loko and Legal Lean Syrup, and the unlisted ingredients on Legal Lean Syrup in particular, pose a real risk to consumers. The attorneys at Finkelstein, Blankinship, Frei-Pearson & Garber, LLP are investigating whether the companies behind Coco Loko and Legal Lean Syrup have been misleading consumers, and putting their health at risk. If you or someone you know purchased Coco Loko or Legal Lean Syrup, please contact us to discuss your legal options.