In a move to cooperate with the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) investigation into the potential impacts of caffeinated foods on children and adolescents, Wrigley, a subsidiary of Mars Inc., has agreed to pull its caffeinated gum, Alert, off the shelves.

Casey Keller, Wrigley's North American president said in a statement that they've paused production, sales, and marketing of Alert, in order to "give the FDA time to develop a new regulatory framework for the addition of caffeine to foods and drinks," the Chicago Tribune reported.

This news comes just a week after the FDA began an investigation into the effects of caffeinated food and drinks on children, even though Wrigley emphasized their intent was to sell Alert to adults aged 25-49.

"After discussions with the FDA, we have a greater appreciation for its concern about the proliferation of caffeine in the nation's food supply," Keller said in the announcement. "There is a need for changes in the regulatory framework to better guide consumers and the industry about the appropriate level and use of caffeinated products."

The FDA's investigation comes as a response to a number of caffeine related problems that have stricken the country. It has received 92 reports of caffeine related illnesses, hospital visits, and deaths over the past four years in relation to the 5-hour energy drink, and other reports related to Monster energy drink.

In 2010, the agency also prohibited the sale of caffeinated alcohol, such as Four Loko and Spark.

Wrigley's effort to get into caffeinated food was meant to broaden its core market, since the recession caused their most loyal purchasers - teenagers - to spend their disposable income on other things.