( CNN ) -- The Food and Drug Administration is preparing to ban caffeinated alcohol drinks , Sen. Charles Schumer said Tuesday . In response , one leading manufacturer of these drinks announced that it will remove caffiene and other ingredients from its product . The FDA , which has been reviewing the drinks since last year , declined to comment on the report . Spokeswoman Siobhan Delancey said the matter was still under review . But Schumer , in a statement issued to the media , said the FDA will rule that caffeine is an unsafe additive to alcoholic beverages , effectively banning them from the U.S. market . `` Let these rulings serve as a warning to anyone who tried to peddle dangerous and toxic brews to our children . Do it and we will shut you down , '' Schumer , D-New York , said in the statement . Critics say such drinks -- leading brands include Four Loko and Joose -- mix as much as three cups of coffee with three cans of beer and are designed to appeal to younger consumers accustomed to consuming high-caffeine energy drinks . A 23.5-ounce can of Four Loko contains either 6 or 12 percent alcohol by volume , depending on state regulations . What 's inside alcoholic energy drinks ? The combination of caffeine and alcohol -- which also is found in drinks like rum and cola -- allows drinkers to consume alcohol for a longer period of time without headaches , dry mouth or other unpleasant side effects , according to Kevin Clauson , an associate professor of pharmacy at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale , Florida . Schumer 's office said a recent study found that young drinkers who combine alcohol and caffeine are more likely to be injured , sexually assaulted , drive while drinking and require medical attention than those who drink caffeinate-free drinks . In the latest news , several Washington state college students became ill in October after drinking Four Loko . Phusion Products , the manufacturer of Four Loko , announced Tuesday that it intends to reformulate its drinks to remove caffeine , guarana and taurine from them . From now on , there will only be noncaffeinated versions of Four Loko . `` We have repeatedly contended -- and still believe , as do many people throughout the country -- that the combination of alcohol and caffeine is safe . If it were unsafe , popular drinks like rum and colas or Irish coffees that have been consumed safely and responsibly for years would face the same scrutiny that our products have recently faced , '' the company 's co-founders said in a statement . The company also noted that the Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau had approved their products . `` We are taking this step after trying -- unsuccessfully -- to navigate a difficult and politically-charged regulatory environment at both the state and federal levels , '' the statement said . Phusion Products said that over the last several months they wanted to talk with regulators and policymakers in hopes of coming up with standards regulating caffeinated alcoholic beverages . `` By taking this action today , we are again demonstrating leadership , cooperation and responsible corporate citizenship , '' the statement said . If the FDA does move to ban the drinks , it would join New York , Washington , Utah , Michigan and Oklahoma in ejecting the products from store shelves .
Sen. Charles Schumer says FDA will ban caffeinated alcohol drinks . Critics say the drinks are unsafe and appeal to minors . The Senate is expected to vote on a bill that would prohibit sales of any alcoholic beverages with caffeine in them by July 1, but it has not yet been scheduled for debate or vote.