Ammo drink pulled from sale

A controversial fizzy drink containing "party pill" ingredients has been voluntarily withdrawn from sale at dairies by its manufacturers.

Herbal drink Ammo was withdrawn following a complaint from the Social Tonics Association of New Zealand (STANZ) on Friday that the drink contained benzylpiperazine (BZP), which was not a permitted food ingredient.

Associate Health Minister Jim Anderton, who is pushing for the pills to be classified as Class D drugs, described the drink as "irresponsible".

"People are pushing the envelope to way out further than many New Zealanders would be comfortable with," he said.

STANZ said the case underlined the need for "sensible" regulation of the industry.

"Clearly some legal controls are required," said STANZ's Matt Bowden.

- NZPA