• The Chicago Tribune , Thursday, September 18, 2008 11 AM

Concerned attorneys general in 25 states have asked MillerCoors to drop plans to introduce Sparks Red, its new high-octane malt beverage laced with caffeine.

On Wednesday, attorneys general from 25 states sent a letter to Leo Kiely, MillerCoors CEO, saying the introduction of Sparks Red, slated for Oct. 1, "mocks [Miller's] oft-stated goal of promoting safe and responsible enjoyment of its products." The group claims that drinks like Sparks appeal to young people and underage drinkers, and says suing MillerCoors is an option.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest sued the company last month, claiming stimulants used in the Sparks offerings aren't approved for alcoholic beverages. Pete Marino, a spokesman for MillerCoors, says what you'd expect him to say, also pointing out that all Sparks beverages "have all been approved for sale by the federal government."

Just asking: Doesn't it always seem that it's attorneys general in 25 states or so who get on the bandwagon for cases like this? What do the AGs in the other 25 states think, I wonder? Is it a red-blue thing?

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