Senator Charles Schumer has alerted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about the harms that “snortable chocolate” could pose to health. Schumer says that this product has no apparent health value.

Legan Lean Co. markets Coco Loko as “raw cacao snuff” and presents it like a drug or a stimulant, promising feelings of well-being, mental focus and ecstasy. At the moment, it hasn’t been prohibited by the FDA, but Democrat Schumer is urging this agency to investigate this product for its use safety.

The "Chocolate Shooter," manufactured by Persoone. Image Credit: Francois Lenoir/REUTERS
The “Chocolate Shooter,” manufactured by Persoone. Image Credit: Francois Lenoir/REUTERS

“This suspect product has no clear health value,” he said in a statement. “I can’t think of a single parent who thinks it is a good idea for their children to be snorting over-the-counter stimulants up their noses.”

There are too many unanswered questions regarding “snortable chocolate”

Charles Schumer, who is a Democrat senator for New York, said that the FDA should investigate snortable chocolate, as there are too many questions about this product and minimal answers. He stated that the health value is not clear and that the use of caffeine in inhalable food products is delicate.

Coco Loko is sold online by the Florida-based company, Legal Lean Co. It costs for $19.99 for a 1.25-ounce (3.5-gram). It’s made out of cocoa powder, which comes from beans used to make chocolate, and it also has caffeine. No other ingredients are detailed on the company’s web page. However, some say that the product also contains other ingredients used in energy drinks.

The FDA has not determined if it has the mandate to regulate snortable chocolate. On the other hand, it seems as if doctors are not sure if inhaled chocolate has adverse effects on health.

They are protecting the product under with the very innocent name of chocolate

According to Schumer, this product can pose a threat to health, and he cannot think of a parent that would want to see their kids putting some powder up in their noses. He says that it might sound very innocent because it has “chocolate” in its name. However, it is important to note that Coco Loko is marketed just like a drug, and it is not clear if it can promote substance abuse.

It promises a rush of “motivation that is great for partygoers to dance the night away without a crash”

Coco Loko snortable chocolate. Image Credit: KVOA.com
Coco Loko snortable chocolate. Image Credit: KVOA.com

At the moment, Legan Lean Co. hasn’t said any comments about the claims made by Senator Schumer. However, according to its founder Nick Anderson, Coco Loko is safe, and it was born with the idea of the snortable chocolate is sold in Europe. Nonetheless, he also said he didn’t consult doctors to make sure about the product’s safety.

“There’s really no negative publicity, so I felt we’re good to go,” said Nick Anderson on Good Morning America on Thursday.

Source: ABC News