(TDB) - US Senator Charles Schumer has hit out at powdered alcohol, calling on food safety authorities to step in and ban the launch of the new product before it is approved for sale.

The senior Democrat Senator for New York claimed that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – the government body responsible for food safety – is refusing to investigate the new product’s alleged health risks.

In a statement released by the prominent politician, Sen. Schumer said that “Powdered alcohol is a disturbing concept and will only make it easier for minors to access, conceal and abuse alcohol.”

‘Palcohol’, the first branded powdered alcohol to seek permission for sale in the US, is currently awaiting approval from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB).

It was initially approved by the authority, who only have powers over the labelling and taxation of alcohol products.

However, this approval was rescinded within hours as the Bureau disagreed with the amount of powder that Palcohol proposed to sell in each packet.

The new smaller-sized servings are now in-line to be approved for sale. The Senator is calling on the FDA to intervene and ban the product before it is released.

“Palcohol can be easily concealed and brought into concerts, school dances and sporting events, it can be sprinkled on food and can even be snorted,” continued Sen. Schumer.

“Given that the federal TTB can only judge and approve new alcohol products based on labelling and taxation, it’s clear the FDA must utilise their authority to intervene when alcohol products create significant health risks and stop this potentially deadly product in its tracks.”