Prime energy drinks, the viral sensation founded by YouTubers Logan Paul and KSI, is facing scrutiny from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over its potentially dangerous levels of caffeine.
Senator Charles Schumer urged the FDA to investigate Prime after its first release into supermarkets such as Asda, Aldi and Morrisons led to huge queues and restrictions on the number of bottles that could be purchased.
KSI said earlier this year that Tesco was not stocking the viral energy drink due to the “security cost to protect shoppers”.
Schumer said: “One of the summer’s hottest status symbols for kids is not an outfit, or a toy – it’s a beverage. But buyer and parents beware because it’s a serious health concern for the kids it so feverishly targets.”
The brand advertises its drink as zero sugar and vegan, however, with 200 milligrams of caffeine per 12 ounces, it is equivalent to about six cans of Coke.
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The high caffeine content has prompted bans from some UK schools.
However, representatives for Prime point out that the product label states that it is “not recommended for children under 18”.
The firm sells a separate sports drink, known as Prime Hydration, which contains no caffeine.
However, Schumer said that the online marketing of the two drinks was very similar.
“A simple search on social media for Prime will generate an eye-popping amount of sponsored content, which is advertising,” he wrote. “This content and the claims made should be investigated, along with the ingredients and the caffeine content in the Prime energy drink.”
