Shortly after Monster energy drinks were linked to 5 deaths, the FDA has another brand under investigation. The FDA is investigating 5-hour energy drinks over a potential link to 13 deaths.
The health risks of energy drinks aren’t for the first time under scrutiny. Just a few weeks ago, Monster was accused of being the reason why five people died. A mother of a teenager that basically overdosed on Monster prompted the debate of the actual dangers of drinking caffeine energy boosters. Now, 5-hour energy drinks is put under the spotlight over 13 deaths.
Wednesday, the FDA announced it has been investigating the cases of 92 patients that accused a bad reaction to 5-hour energy drinks. On the overall, there are 33 hospitalizations and 13 deaths that might prove there are health risks to the energy shots. It’s also a reaction to the pressure health advocators have been putting on authorities to readdress levels of caffeine in energy drinks as well as their labeling.
“It is important to note that, while those who voluntarily report an illness or injury” reads the FDA statement referring to medical professionals, family members and consumers, “typically identify the product that they assume caused the injury or illness, FDA as a scientific public health agency must carefully investigate and evaluate all possible causes before deciding whether the product actually caused the medical problem”.
Living Essentials, the distributor of 5-Hour Energy”, dismissed the claim that their product isn’t safe when used as a dietary supplement, as directed. For the moment being, the company says it is “unaware of any deaths proven to be caused by the consumption of 5-Hour Energy”. A similar statement had Monster a few weeks ago. Doesn’t it feel a bit like the first episode of Mad Men about making tobacco look good although it wasn’t healthy?
The 5-Hour Energy drink sells as an “energy shot” and comes in two-ounce bottles. An article by Consumer Reports reads that a two-ounce 5-Hour bottle contains 215 milligrams of caffeine, which is (in some cases) twice than the amount in an eight-ounce cup of coffee. Since the producer keeps the actual amount of caffeine secret, it’s anybody’s guess how much of that it takes to give you a heart attack.
