NEW YORK (AP) 鈥 An influencer-backed energy drink that has earned viral popularity among children is facing scrutiny from lawmakers and health experts over its potentially dangerous levels of caffeine.
On Sunday, Sen. Charles Schumer called on the Food and Drug Administration to investigate PRIME, a beverage brand founded by the YouTube stars Logan Paul and KSI that has become something of an obsession among the influencers鈥 legions of young followers.
鈥淥ne of the summer鈥檚 hottest status symbols for kids is not an outfit, or a toy 鈥 it鈥檚 a beverage,鈥 said Schumer, a Democrat from New York. 鈥淏ut buyer and parents beware because it鈥檚 a serious health concern for the kids it so feverishly targets."
Backed by two of YouTube鈥檚 best known stars, PRIME was an immediate sensation when it launched last year, prompting long lines in grocery stores and reports of school yard resale markets.
Advertising itself as zero sugar and vegan, the neon-colored cans are among a growing number of energy drinks with elevated levels of caffeine; in PRIME鈥檚 case, 200 milligrams per 12 ounces, equivalent to about half a dozen Coke cans or nearly two Red Bulls.
That high content prompted bans from some schools in the United Kingdom and Australia where some pediatricians warned of possible health effects on young children such as heart problems, anxiety and digestive issues.
The FDA said in a statement Monday that it was reviewing Schumer's letter and would respond to the senator directly.
A company representative said their energy drink, which comes with a warning label that it is 鈥渘ot recommended for children under 18," contains a comparable level of caffeine to other competitors.
鈥淎s a brand, our top priority is consumer safety, so we welcome discussions with the FDA or any other organization regarding suggested industry changes they feel are necessary in order to protect consumers,鈥 spokesperson Alyx Sealy, said in a statement.
Sealy also noted the company sells a separate sports drink, PRIME Hydration, which contains no caffeine at all.
But in his letter to the FDA, Schumer claimed there was little noticeable difference in the online marketing of the two drinks 鈥 leading many parents to believe they were purchasing a juice for their kids, only to wind up with a 鈥渃auldron of caffeine.鈥
鈥淎 simple search on social media for Prime will generate an eye-popping amount of sponsored content, which is advertising," he wrote. 鈥淭his content and the claims made should be investigated, along with the ingredients and the caffeine content in the Prime energy drink.鈥
