Pediatricians and parents are calling on the US to treat new highly caffeinated energy drinks like alcohol and cigarettes and ban their sale to minors because one serving can contain as much caffeine as six Coca-Colas.
Prime Energy, which launched this year, has 200 mg of caffeine in its 350 ml can — above the legal caffeine levels in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Rival products such as Anheuser Busch InBev-backed Hantu energy drink and Kim Kardashian’s “Kimade” energy drink also have 200 mg of caffeine.
Monster Energy’s competitor contains 150 mg of caffeine.
As the caffeine content of energy drinks has increased over the years, some countries and retailers have banned the product while some require proof of age for purchase.
In the US and UK, there are no national regulations prohibiting the sale of highly caffeinated energy drinks.
Without legal age mandates like alcohol and cigarettes, retailers are unlikely to restrict access, said Dr. Holly Benjamin, a professor of pediatrics and orthopedic surgery at the University of Chicago.
Prime Energy drinks have 200 mg of caffeine in a 350 ml can — above the legal caffeine levels in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Reuters
There is no proven safe dose of caffeine for children, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
“Retailers may choose to place sports drinks and energy drinks in different locations and label portions differently; but, I think that is unlikely to happen without regulation starting with better product labeling and widespread education,” said Dr. Benjamin.
He added: “Any energy drink with high doses of caffeine in it, like Prime Energy, is not safe for children.”
There is no ban on Prime energy drinks in the US and UK, as there are no national regulations banning the sale of highly caffeinated energy drinks.REUTERS
Side effects for children who consume caffeine can include fast or irregular heartbeats, headaches, seizures, tremors, stomach upsets and adverse emotional effects on mental health, he said.
The FDA is currently reviewing US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s request to investigate the caffeine content in Prime Energy, as well as its marketing to children, a spokeswoman said.
The prime minister declined to comment. Ghost Energy, Monster Energy did not return messages seeking comment.
Logan Paul and KSI said they do not market Prime energy drinks to children. PRIME/Instagram
Congo Brands, which owns Kimade, Alani Nu and Prime Energy, also did not respond to requests for comment.
Prime co-founders Logan Paul and KSI, both social media influencers, said in an August media interview that they do not market the drink to children, adding that retailers should regulate sales to minors.
COLORFUL CANS CONFUSE PARENTS
The American Medical Association supports a ban on the marketing of caffeinated beverages to children under the age of 18, according to a policy established in 2013.
Alani Nu partners with Kim Kardashian to release Alani by Kim K. Alani Nu, a better-for-you health and wellness brand. Alani Nu/MEGA
The AMA also urged US regulators or lawmakers to mandate “child-resistant packaging” on high-energy drinks.
Kinneret Shick Ohana, a mother of five from Florida, saw the “bright, colorful cans of Prime” her children displayed in the front aisle of Walmart while shopping for groceries.
In his excitement, he overlooked the black writing on the bottom of the colored can that read “energy drink” before taking it home to his children.
“I get confused because when you first look at the can, it’s hard to see where it says energy drink. It took me a while after my son showed it to me to find it,” said Ohana.
“The energy drink industry is marketing these products that are only intended for adults to children and I think Prime is just another example of a company pushing these inappropriate drinks on minors,” said Bonnie Patten, executive director of Truth in Advertising.
Specialty retailer GNC has imposed an 18+ age restriction on energy drink purchases, according to its customer service line and in-store reviews.
Target and Walmart, as well as specialty chains such as Vitamin Shoppe, carry Prime Energy but typically do not verify the age of shoppers, according to Reuters interviews and in-store checks.
“We strongly encourage our customers to follow all labeling instructions for every product sold at Vitamin Shoppe, including energy drinks,” Vitamin Shoppe said.
Target did not return messages seeking comment. Walmart declined to comment.
The drink maker’s label stating the drink is “not recommended” for children creates confusion among retailers about what restrictions, if any, should be placed on the sale of energy drinks to children, lawyers said.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
