Nebraska County Wants Ban on 'Shot' Sales
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- The Hall County, Neb., board of supervisors is calling for grocery stores and convenience stores to voluntary ban Zipper shots from being stocked or sold, according to The Grand Island (Neb.) Independent.
Zipper shots are individual-serving-size plastic containers of gelatin containing 12 percent alcohol, resembling pudding or applesauce snack packs. They are marketed by BPNC Inc. of Toledo, Ohio.
"A big concern we have is when they are outside the package that states there is alcohol and it's in the single-serving cup, it's hard to identify," said Lex Ann Roach, coordinator of Project Extra Mile, an underage drinking prevention project.
"The potential risk of the kids buying these is greater than it should be," teen Sarah Pielstick, a member of the project's Youth in Action team, told the newspaper.
Seven supervisors voted unanimously in favor of asking local businesses to not sell Zippers. The board is preparing a resolution to send to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission asking that the commission reinstate a voluntary ban on Zipper sales statewide, which the commission lifted in August.
Roach said the county's action sends a clear community message on the issue, even though all the local grocery store managers have told her they aren't interested in stocking the product.
Supervisor Scott Arnold, who is a Grand Island police officer, thanked Project Extra Mile for increasing awareness on the Zipper shots. He said more attention would be paid during traffic stops in which police officers find gelatin packs in vehicles.
Zipper shots are individual-serving-size plastic containers of gelatin containing 12 percent alcohol, resembling pudding or applesauce snack packs. They are marketed by BPNC Inc. of Toledo, Ohio.
"A big concern we have is when they are outside the package that states there is alcohol and it's in the single-serving cup, it's hard to identify," said Lex Ann Roach, coordinator of Project Extra Mile, an underage drinking prevention project.
"The potential risk of the kids buying these is greater than it should be," teen Sarah Pielstick, a member of the project's Youth in Action team, told the newspaper.
Seven supervisors voted unanimously in favor of asking local businesses to not sell Zippers. The board is preparing a resolution to send to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission asking that the commission reinstate a voluntary ban on Zipper sales statewide, which the commission lifted in August.
Roach said the county's action sends a clear community message on the issue, even though all the local grocery store managers have told her they aren't interested in stocking the product.
Supervisor Scott Arnold, who is a Grand Island police officer, thanked Project Extra Mile for increasing awareness on the Zipper shots. He said more attention would be paid during traffic stops in which police officers find gelatin packs in vehicles.