House committee passes bill banning powdered alcohol

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – A state House committee has unanimously advanced a proposal that would ban powdered alcohol in Indiana before the product hits store shelves.

A powdered form of alcohol called Palcohol received federal approval this month and can be mixed with any liquid to create an alcoholic drink. The manufacturer says on its website that it hopes to have it available for sale by summer.

But the House Public Policy Committee passed a measure Wednesday that would immediately outlaw powdered alcohol.

Supporters of a ban say Palcohol would encourage underage drinking and could easily be concealed at school events. Others say they support the bill but think further study on how to regulate the product is needed. They say banning the product could make matters worse if surrounding states don’t follow suit.