Issue Date: Vol. 52, No. 11, November 2012, Posted On: 10/22/2012
FDA: Monster Energy Drinks Cited In Death Reports
by Staff Reporter
TAGS: vending, energy drinks, Monster Beverage Corp., FDA report, Monster Energy, Red Bull, Rock Star, 5-hour Energy, caffeine limits, Dick Durbin
WASHINGTON -- Monster Beverage Corp.'s energy drinks have been cited in the deaths of five people in the past year, according to incident reports that doctors and companies submit to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Like similar filings made with the FDA in cases tied to drugs or medical devices, the reports do not prove a link between Monster Energy and the deaths or health problems. The records were recently obtained under the Freedom of Information Act by the mother of a 14-year-old Maryland girl who died in December from a heart arrhythmia after drinking large cans of Monster Energy on two consecutive days, according to a story in The New York Times.
The paper said the reports do not make clear whether the incidents involved other factors, like alcohol or drugs. The Times added that the Monster Energy filings might increase Congressional calls for greater regulation of the energy products industry. Such highly caffeinated beverages as Monster Energy, Red Bull and Rock Star, as well as energy shots like 5-hour Energy, are among the energy drink brands aggressively aimed at teenagers and young people.
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) is asking the FDA to consider caffeine limits on energy drinks.
