The politician says the advertising and marketing for Prime vitality drink is could lead on dad and mom to confuse it with Prime Hydration, which has no caffeine (Image: In Photos by way of Getty Photographs)
A US senator has referred to as for an vitality drink backed by two YouTube stars to be investigated by lawmakers and well being consultants over its caffeine ranges.
Senator Charles Schumer has referred to as on the Meals and Medication Administration (FDA) to look into Prime, a beverage model based by Logan Paul and KSI.
Mr Schumer, a Democrat from New York, mentioned: ‘One of many summer season’s hottest standing symbols for youths shouldn’t be an outfit, or a toy – it’s a beverage.
‘However purchaser and fogeys beware as a result of it’s a critical well being concern for the youngsters it so feverishly targets.’
Prime was an on the spot success when it launched final 12 months, resulting in lengthy queues in supermarkets and even a resale market in class playgrounds.
The model at present sells two drinks: Prime vitality drink which accommodates 200 milligrams of caffeine per 12 ounces, and Prime Hydration which accommodates no caffeine in any respect.
Representatives for Prime defended the vitality drink, which accommodates the identical quantity of caffeine as six cans of coke, saying the cans are clearly labelled ‘not beneficial for youngsters below 18’.
However in his letter to the FDA, Mr Schumer mentioned there was ‘little noticeable distinction’ within the advertising and marketing for the 2 drinks, which could lead on dad and mom to imagine they have been shopping for juice for his or her youngsters, moderately than a ‘cauldron of caffeine’.
He added: ‘A easy search on social media for Prime will generate an eye-popping quantity of sponsored content material, which is promoting.
‘This content material and the claims made needs to be investigated, together with the substances and the caffeine content material within the Prime vitality drink.’
The caffeine ranges in Prime led to bans on the drink in some colleges within the UK and Australia, the place paediatricians warned of attainable well being impacts on younger youngsters together with coronary heart issues, nervousness and digestive points.
One youngster even needed to have their abdomen pumped after consuming the vitality drink.
Prime has been contacted for remark.
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