An energy drink promoted by influencers, which has gained viral popularity among young people, is facing intense scrutiny from lawmakers and health experts in the United States because of its potentially dangerous content of caffeine.
On Sunday, Senator Charles Schumer asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate PRIME, a beverage brand founded by YouTube stars Logan Paul and KSI, which has become something of an obsession among consumers. young followers of influencers.
The drink is also sold in Canada at several retailers and on the web.
“One of the most popular symbols of summer for kids isn’t a piece of clothing or a toy, it’s a drink,” said Schumer, Democrat of New York. But beware buyers and parents, because this drink poses a serious health problem for the children it so eagerly targets. »
Backed by two of YouTube’s best-known stars, PRIME immediately caused a stir when it launched last year, causing long lines at grocery stores and resulting in resale markets in schoolyards.
The equivalent of six Cokes
Billed as a sugar-free and vegan drink, the neon-colored bottles are among a growing number of energy drinks containing high levels of caffeine. In the case of PRIME, there are 200 milligrams of caffeine per 12 ounces (350 milliliters), or the equivalent of half a dozen cans of Coke or nearly two Red Bulls.
This high content has led to the banning of this product in some schools in the UK and Australia, where pediatricians have warned of possible health effects in young people, such as heart problems, anxiety and digestive disorders.
Company representatives, meanwhile, defended the product as being clearly labeled “not recommended for those under 18”. The company sells another sports drink, called PRIME Hydration, which does not contain caffeine. PRIME representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
But in his letter to the FDA, Schumer says there’s little noticeable difference in the online marketing of the two drinks, leading many parents to believe they’re buying juice for their kids. children, when they find themselves with a “cauldron of caffeine”.
“A simple search for PRIME on social media generates an impressive amount of sponsored content, which constitutes advertising,” he writes. This content and the claims made therein should be investigated, as should the ingredients and caffeine content of PRIME energy drink. »