Chuck Schumer, the US Senate Majority Leader, has called on regulatory authorities to investigate an energy drink endorsed by popular YouTubers KSI and Logan Paul. Mr. Schumer argues that the drink is being marketed to children despite its high caffeine content.
Prime Energy, the drink in question, contains 200mg of caffeine per can, nearly double the amount found in competitor Red Bull. Although each can carries a warning that it is not recommended for children under 18 years of age, Mr. Schumer claims that Prime Energy is packaged and marketed in a manner nearly identical to a caffeine-free drink from the same brand.
During a press conference in New York, Mr. Schumer stated that some parents had unknowingly purchased the caffeinated version of the drink for their children due to the packaging similarity. He later took to Twitter, urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate Prime Energy for its high caffeine content and marketing practices targeting children on social media.
In 2022, KSI and Logan Paul, with a combined following of approximately 48 million subscribers on YouTube, launched Prime Hydration, a caffeine-free drink that gained significant popularity online, resulting in long queues and fervent consumer interest.
Prime Energy, the caffeinated version of the drink, was introduced in January of this year. The company promotes it as a sugar-free and vegan alternative. Each can bears a warning indicating that it is not suitable for children under 18 years of age, individuals sensitive to caffeine, pregnant women, or breastfeeding women.
Some schools worldwide have issued warnings about Prime drinks or banned them entirely. For instance, Milton Primary School in Newport, Wales sent a message to parents cautioning them about the distinction between the caffeinated and non-caffeinated versions after a student fell ill outside of school hours.
