Crunk Juce complaint lodged with The Portman Group

The Portman Group has confirmed that it has received a complaint about new 'turbo-charged' energy drink Crunk Juce.

This comes after the UK arm of the American company behind the 12% ABV drink defended itself, following concerns raised by police in Southampton earlier this week.

Crunk Juce is being sold in pint-sized cans through off-licenses and by the crate-load direct to consumers online. Pubs and bars in the area are only selling it as a 25ml shot or in cocktails.

It is marketed as an alternative to wine and beer that will 'leave you wondering what happened'.

Inspector Phil Bates, of Southampton Police, told the London Metro newspaper: "I do have concerns as I have dealt with incidents from assaults to public disorder, where either the victim or the offender has drunk Crunk."

Nick Walters, operations manager at Crunk UK Ltd, said: "It just seems that the police are looking for something to blame. If it wasn't Crunk, it would be another drink like vodka or whisky.

"Trading standards came in a while back and said they would be in touch if there was any problems with the product, and the only problem they identified was the labelling which we have now dealt with, and we have Drinkaware labels on the product.

"If the product was withdrawn from the market, people would just buy our energy drinks and mix it with spirits."

The Orange Rooms in Southampton is one of the bars selling the drink. "We are just trying to be as careful as we can with Crunk as I know it is something the media has picked up on," a spokesman told the Publican's Morning Advertiser.

A spokeswoman for The Portman Group said: "I can confirm we have received a complaint under the Portman Group Code about the product Crunk Juce which will be considered by the Independent Complaints Panel.

"We will be contacting the company involved who will have 14 working days to respond in writing."