Powdered alcohol approved by US regulators

(HealthDay)—U.S. regulators have approved a controversial powdered alcohol product called Palcohol, which is meant to be mixed into drinks.

Four varieties of Palcohol were approved by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, said agency spokesman Tom Hogue, but he added that states have the power to regulate alcohol sales, CBS News/Associated Press reported.

Several states have already taken action to ban powdered alcohol over concerns about abuse by minors and that it would make it easy to sneak alcohol into public events.

Palcohol is small packet of freeze-dried alcohol that comes in different flavors and can be mixed with water to create an alcoholic drink, CBS/AP reported.