No go for boozy `Moo Joose`

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Prospects have turned sour for `Moo Joose`, Australia`s first alcoholic milkshake, which has been banned by licensing authorities and slammed by health groups as encouraging under-age drinking.

Victoria-based Wicked Holdings is set to appeal against the ban, saying its chocolate, strawberry and banana flavoured milk drinks were aimed at 18 to 35-year-olds and would only be sold on licensed premises, Melbourne`s Herald Sun newspaper reported on Tuesday.

With an alcoholic content of 5.3 percent, the drinks are stronger than most standard Australian beers.

Australian Drug Foundation spokesman Geoff Munro told the newspaper that Moo Joose was a nightmare that would put alcohol within the reach of every child in the state.

`It`s a sad day when we would take such a risk and trade our children`s health in for a dollar,` he said.

Liquor Licensing Victoria last week rejected Wicked Holdings` application for a pre-retail liquor licence but the company intends to appeal against the decision, the paper said.