Senator Schumer Urges FDA to Investigate Prime Energy Drink’s High Caffeine Content and Marketing to Children
US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called upon regulators to launch an investigation into Prime Energy drink. Marketed to children and teenagers as a thirst quencher, the product contains a staggering 200mg of caffeine. Schumer penned a letter to FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, urging the agency to scrutinize Prime’s health claims, excessive caffeine levels, and marketing tactics.
Prime, a beverage brand created by YouTube influencers Logan Paul and KSI, boasts caffeine content surpassing that of a cup of coffee, a can of Coca-Cola, and a can of Red Bull. Schumer noted that a 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola contains 34 milligrams of caffeine, while an 8.4-ounce can of Red Bull contains 80 milligrams. In stark contrast, a 12-ounce can of Prime Energy packs a whopping 200 milligrams of caffeine.
Expressing concern for children’s well-being, Schumer emphasized in his letter that Prime’s 200mg caffeine concentration in a 12-ounce can pose a health risk. He further highlighted how the drink has gained popularity as a status symbol among children on social media. Schumer also criticized Prime’s website for lacking proper warnings and essential information to assist parents. Notably, the website states that the beverages are intended for individuals aged 18 and above.
He said: “Prime is so new that most parents haven’t a clue about it, but it is born from the reels of social media and the enigmatic world of influencers. Kids see it on their phones or as they scroll, and they actually need it the problem here is that this product has so much caffeine in it that it puts Red Bull to shame, but unlike Red Bull, this product has one true target market: children under the age of 18, and that is why I am sounding the alarm and asking the FDA to investigate Prime.”
He added: “This is eye-popping levels of caffeine for a child’s body. And because the product is billed as a hydration and sports drink in its other near-identical form, kids are likely to ingest cans of this stuff with parents unaware – and that’s a recipe for disaster.”
The Prime Energy brand also sells a caffeine-free version of its drink in similar packaging.
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) states that children should not consume energy drinks and rarely need sports drinks.
“Energy drinks pose potential health risks because of the stimulants they contain, and should never be consumed by children or adolescents,” according to the AAFP.
Concerns were also raised by a primary school in Wales, UK, at the beginning of May. A text message sent out by the Milton Primary School’s management in Newport, Wales, at the time said: “This morning, a parent has reported that their child has had a cardiac episode over the weekend after drinking a Prime energy drink. The child had to have their stomach pumped, and although better now, the parent wanted us to share this as a reminder of the potential harmful effects.”
