New York Senator Chuck Schumer is criticizing Prime Energy for reportedly having an excessive caffeine concentration of 200 mg. Logan Paul and KSI’s Prime drinks have recently become popular, with children and adults from all over the world vying for a taste.
Chuck Schumer, on the other hand, urged that the FDA investigate Prime Energy drink for its caffeine levels and marketing tactics. Schumer was not a fan of how the high-caffeine energy drink is being sold alongside their sports drink that is aimed at children, with little variation in the promotion.
He stated that the drink was: “A serious health concern.”
Prime, a collaboration between YouTube sensations KSI and Logan Paul, was an instant success. On Prime Hydration’s 2022 UK debut, there was a large line of kids and young adults outside stores to get their hands on the limited-edition drink.
Due to the pair’s purported hype-based marketing practices and limited supply, there was an increase in reselling and illicit markets. Prime became become a fashion brand and a status symbol for children.
Schools in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Australia, and South Africa have banned the Prime energy drink
KSI even told BBC that the drink’s success was unprecedented. He addressed the low stock levels by claiming that they were doing all possible to keep supply in line with demand. He did, however, condemn individuals who were reselling the product at exorbitant costs.
According to the BBC, certain schools in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Australia, and South Africa have banned the drink due to its cult-like status among children and related health risks.
One school said: “Prime bottles can be a major distraction to lessons as children are removing themselves from their lessons to be seen drinking with the Prime branded bottles.”
Prime Hydration, on the other hand, is a sports drink rather than an energy drink. As a result, it lacked caffeine and sugar. Aspartame was utilized as a sweetener in the drink.
Prime Energy was introduced as not intended for kids
In 2023, a new version of Prime beverages called Prime Energy was introduced as not intended for kids. The product was clearly labeled “not recommended for children under the age of 18.” Furthermore, the product is marketed as a vegan drink with 200 mg of caffeine, zero sugar, and 300 mg of electrolytes.
The senior United States senator from New York, Charles Ellis Schumer, often known as Chuck Schumer, has called for an investigation into the caffeine content and marketing of Prime Energy. Schumer issued a public warning to parents, stating that the new “summer sensation drink” marketed at children contained: “More than double the caffeine of Red Bull and more than triple the caffeine of a can of Coca-Cola.” “This has the equivalent of six cans of Coke, in terms of caffeine.”
He claimed that Prime had launched a big advertising campaign geared at youngsters, despite the fact that children are not intended to drink something with that much caffeine content. He claimed that the “eye-popping” caffeine levels in the beverages caused parents and doctors “the jitters” because the drinks’ target audience was reportedly children.
Schumer emphasized the similarity in the marketing of its drink geared for children and Prime Energy
“One of the summer’s hottest status symbols for kids is not an outfit or a toy—it’s a beverage, but buyers and parents beware because it’s a serious health concern for the kids it so feverishly targets.”
The Senator also objected to one of the energy drink cans being shaped like an ice pop, ostensibly to cater to youngsters. Furthermore, he stated that a 12-ounce serving of Prime contained more than a hundred percent caffeine content than a Red Bull.
Schumer also cited medical experts who said that caffeine raises blood pressure and disrupts sleep patterns in youngsters, as well as influencing their moods and generating anxiety. He quoted the American Association of Family Positions:
“Energy drinks pose potential health risks because of the stimulants they contain and they should never be consumed by children or adults.”
Despite Prime staff defending the drink by claiming that Prime Energy is clearly labeled as not suitable for children under the age of 18, Schumer emphasized the similarity in the marketing of its drink geared for children and Prime Energy.