LESS THAN 2 WEEKS LEFT TO STOCK UP ON FOUR LOKO!

Fans of Four Loko have less than two weeks to stock up if they want the "blackout in a can" beverage in its current caffeinated form.
The controversial alcoholic energy drink has nearly disappeared from store shelves, thanks to its makers who promised to stop supplying it, according to a press release on the FDA's web site.

It will return without the caffeine ingredients in the near future, the company promised.

The popular beverage came under government scrutiny after it was blamed for an uptick in alcohol-related hospitalizations for college students. It's been banned in numerous states by state liquor boards, including New York.

The FDA issued warning letters to Phusion Projects, the Chicago-based manufacturer of Four Loko, and to manufacturers of other similar drinks including Joose.

Rather than continue to fight back, as Phusion Projects initially tried to do in press releases on its website, the company ultimately caved to the FDA.

While an FDA-issued letter of warning is technically not an outright ban, it’s the first step in that direction.

To pre-empt its product from being permanently blocked, Phusion Projects promised to remove the caffeine.

According to the FDA, the drink in its current state will be completely removed from shelves by December 13.

Other companies targeted by the regulatory agency seem to have heeded its friendly advice as well.

"Since issuing the Warning Letters, the FDA has had discussions with all four companies [which make alcoholic-caffeinated beverages]. As a result of those discussions, significant progress has been made," the FDA said in a statement on Wednesday.

The fight against Four Loko has led many consumers – especially young ones – to defend their favorite party pop – and stock up.

"People have bought a lot of it in the last few days because they know it’s going off the shelves," one 7-11 clerk told the News, the day after the ban in New York was announced.

Across the country, Four Loko "vigil" parties have also been held to say goodbye to the drink.

"Every time I drank a Four Loko, something terrible happened," one person told the website Gothamist at a tribute march to the drink in New York City. "And each time I grew from it."

Facebook groups, petitions and even YouTube videos have also sprouted up in support of the drink.

"Get the government out of my Loko!" wrote one petitioner.

While the outcry against the ban is growing, health officials among many others caution that the drink is dangerous - especially for the college students who seem to be swilling it down this year.

With the equivalent of a cup of coffee and five beers, the drink causes drinkers to not realize how intoxicated they become.