FDA investigates five deaths, one heart attack linked to Monster Energy Drinks

HAGERSTOWN, Md.The highly caffeinated Monster Energy Drink has been cited in five deaths and one non-fatal heart attack, according to reports that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating.

The reports claim that people had adverse reactions after they consumed Monster Energy Drink, which comes in 24-ounce cans and contains 240 milligrams of caffeine, or seven times the amount of the caffeine in a 12-ounce cola.

• Monster Energy Drink maker sued for 14-year-old's death

Although the FDA is investigating the allegations, which date back to 2004, the agency said the reports don't necessarily prove that the drinks caused the deaths or injuries.

"As with any reports of a death or injury the agency receives, we take them very seriously and investigate diligently," Shelly Burgess, a FDA spokeswoman, said in a statement.

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Parents sue Monster Energy Drink after daughter's death

News of the FDA's investigation follows a filing last week of a wrongful death suit in Riverside, Calif., by the parents of  14-year-old Anais Fournier after drinking two, 24-ounce Monster Energy Drinks in 24 hours. An autopsy concluded that she died of cardiac arrhythmia due to caffeine toxicity and the medical examiner also found that she had an inherited disorder that can weaken blood vessels. But the child's parents claim Monster failed to warn about the risks of drinking its products.

Monster Beverage Corp., which touts on its web site that the Monster Energy Drink is a "killer energy brew" and "the meanest energy supplement on the planet," puts labels on cans that state that the drinks are not recommended for children and people who are sensitive to caffeine. The company, based in Corona, Calif., did not immediately respond to calls seeking comment on Monday, but said last week that it is "unaware of any fatality anywhere that has been caused by its drinks."

Monster is among a growing group of energy drinks on the market. Energy drinks are a tiny part of the carbonated soft drink market, representing about 3 percent of sales volume, according to a recent report by industry tracker Beverage Digest. But at a time when soda consumption is declining, energy drinks are becoming more popular: Last year, sales volume for energy drinks rose by nearly 17 percent.

Monster has benefited the most from the increase. Last year, Monster had a 35 percent share of the energy-drink market based on volume, while Red Bull had 30 percent and Rockstar had 19 percent, according to Beverage Digest. Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are far smaller players in the arena, with about 5 percent each.

Investors have warmed up to the drinks as well. In the past two years, Monster's shares have more than tripled, from about $22 and hit a high of about $79 in June. But on news of the FDA investigation, Monster's shares plunged $7.59, or 14.2 percent, to close at $45.73 in trading on Monday.

The increase in popularity has brought heightened scrutiny. The levels of caffeine in the drinks have raised worries: Although the FDA caps the amount of caffeine in soda to 0.02 percent, there is no such limit for energy drinks.

In August, New York state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman issued subpoenas to energy drink makers, including Monster, as part of the state's investigation of the industry. And in September, Senators Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., asked the FDA to take another look at the effect that caffeine and other ingredients in energy drinks have on children and adolescents.

[_MikeBudd]

It is a very sensitive topic due to the death of young people, people react with much affect...
My point of view is that knowledge is key, especially regarding health, but for reasonable persons only: I don't think that mentioning the level of caffeine on energy drinks will refrain many people from buying... See also the risks coming with smoking, do you think that it is about informing smokers furthermore? Many medical studies show that caffeine is great in moderation for adults: http://ephedrinewheretobuy.com/ephedrine-where-to-buy-eca-stacks/coffee-a-true-wonder-drug
The key word is "moderate". It will vary from person to person, if you reach your limit you will have more negative effects: sleep disorders, nervousness, irritability, stomach upset, fast heartbeat etc...
Even if a small number of people might change their habits thanks to statutory safety warnings on the packs of all caffeinated drinks, I think that it would be worth trying it.
Cheers, Mike

[tharbo88]

Wow, the real idiots here are the parents.. Lets look at the facts shall we? Their daughter is reported to have "an inherited disorder that can weaken blood vessels" and she died from "cardiac arrhythmia due to caffeine toxicity"

ok..... so far so good, now this is where I blame the parents, the girl is reported to have drank TWO (2) TWENTY FOUR (24) oz cans of monster (mind you this isnt the normal size, the normal size Monster is 16oz, she was drinking the big a** cans) within 24 hours. Said 24 oz can is reported to have SEVEN (7) times as much caffeine as in a regular 12 oz soda.

Hmmm, so these idiot parents, gave their daughter, whom has "an inherited disorder that can weaken blood vessels", FOURTEEN (14) times as much caffeine as in a normal can of soda.... ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Not to mention the story goes on to say "the child's parents claim Monster failed to warn about the risks of drinking its products"

...ARE YOU SERIOUS??

The next line clearly states: "Monster Beverage Corp., .... puts labels on cans that state that the drinks are not recommended for children and people who are sensitive to caffeine"

Hmmmm, looks like a pretty good warning to me, especially for their CHILD daughter who is SENSITIVE TO CAFFEINE!!

Like I said, BLAME THE PARENTS. They should be in jail, the judge of this should throw it out finding monster innocent and the parents 100% at guilt for the death of their daughter.

[mitaz21]

In some aspects I do believe Monster is safe. I drink it and have for years when I need that extra pick me up. Although I also agree that it should be age limited. I have a 17 year old son who is 6 foot 2 and 135 lbs. So by no means tiny or a little body of a young child. I have always limited all of my children's intake on caffeine and talked with them openly about the dangers that could be side affects in growing and changing bodies. 3 weeks ago my son was at a 2 day band competition and was running low on energy so he figured he would drink ONE! That was all it took for him to be rushed to the nearest er with an off the wall EKG and abnormal heart rhythm. He nearly had a heart attack off of just one regular size monster energy drink that he purchased with no adult needed. They have since ran ultrasounds of his heart to check for underlying problems and everything was completely normal with no expectations of any problems to arise. His diagnoses was " A near heart attack from caffeine overdose." This as a parent is very alarming. It had nothing to do with laziness, lack of parenting, or failing to educate my children. It was a decision he made based on thinking it was fine because everyone does it and it was sold to him. I don't necessarily blame the monster company because everyone reacts differently to all substances even if just over the counter Tylenol. However, I do believe with all of my heart that there should be an age requirement of 21 years old due to body development and maturity. It should be ID required like alcohol and tobacco. I thank God above that my child was not a statistic and I pray they can control young children getting it in their hands as easily as they do. It is not always the parents failing to do their part or the suppliers not doing theirs. There are more people involved and if everyone steps up to do their part in trying to keep children from getting it.....then we won't be burying children over something so preventable!!!!

[tharbo88]

Too funny, 21 to buy an energy drink? Maybe I could see justifying 18, considering 18 year olds can buy tobacco, but I'd lean more towards 16 since that is when kids begin to be treated like adults and are given their drivers license so they can go out and drive horribly and kill people on the road. But hey, lets not let them have a harmless energy drink, that had you not babied him for 17 years, he may not have had a panic attack when he felt what an energy drink feels like. Like you said, everyone reacts to substances differently, but this is why dr's start people on low dosages of medications, not straight to the highest they can get their hands on. Which is clearly what happened to you son (I have always limited all of my children's intake on caffeine) he wasn't given the opportunity to gradually build up to drinking a monster by having a few sodas over his life cause you were too busy holding his hand and shielding his eyes.

[mitaz21]

In some aspects I do believe Monster is safe. I drink it and have for years when I need that extra pick me up. Although I also agree that it should be age limited. I have a 17 year old son who is 6 foot 2 and 135 lbs. So by no means tiny or a little body of a young child. I have always limited all of my children's intake on caffeine and talked with them openly about the dangers that could be side affects in growing and changing bodies. 3 weeks ago my son was at a 2 day band competition and was running low on energy so he figured he would drink ONE! That was all it took for him to be rushed to the nearest er with an off the wall EKG and abnormal heart rhythm. He nearly had a heart attack off of just one regular size monster energy drink that he purchased with no adult needed. They have since ran ultrasounds of his heart to check for underlying problems and everything was completely normal with no expectations of any problems to arise. His diagnoses was " A near heart attack from caffeine overdose." This as a parent is very alarming. It had nothing to do with laziness, lack of parenting, or failing to educate my children. It was a decision he made based on thinking it was fine because everyone does it and it was sold to him. I don't necessarily blame the monster company because everyone reacts differently to all substances even if just over the counter Tylenol. However, I do believe with all of my heart that there should be an age requirement of 21 years old due to body development and maturity. It should be ID required like alcohol and tobacco. I thank God above that my child was not a statistic and I pray they can control young children getting it in their hands as easily as they do. It is not always the parents failing to do their part or the suppliers not doing theirs. There are more people involved and if everyone steps up to do their part in trying to keep children from getting it.....then we won't be burying children over something so preventable!!!!

[mitaz21]

In some aspects I do believe Monster is safe. I drink it and have for years when I need that extra pick me up. Although I also agree that it should be age limited. I have a 17 year old son who is 6 foot 2 and 135 lbs. So by no means tiny or a little body of a young child. I have always limited all of my children's intake on caffeine and talked with them openly about the dangers that could be side affects in growing and changing bodies. 3 weeks ago my son was at a 2 day band competition and was running low on energy so he figured he would drink ONE! That was all it took for him to be rushed to the nearest er with an off the wall EKG and abnormal heart rhythm. He nearly had a heart attack off of just one regular size monster energy drink that he purchased with no adult needed. They have since ran ultrasounds of his heart to check for underlying problems and everything was completely normal with no expectations of any problems to arise. His diagnoses was " A near heart attack from caffeine overdose." This as a parent is very alarming. It had nothing to do with laziness, lack of parenting, or failing to educate my children. It was a decision he made based on thinking it was fine because everyone does it and it was sold to him. I don't necessarily blame the monster company because everyone reacts differently to all substances even if just over the counter Tylenol. However, I do believe with all of my heart that there should be an age requirement of 21 years old due to body development and maturity. It should be ID required like alcohol and tobacco. I thank God above that my child was not a statistic and I pray they can control young children getting it in their hands as easily as they do. It is not always the parents failing to do their part or the suppliers not doing theirs. There are more people involved and if everyone steps up to do their part in trying to keep children from getting it.....then we won't be burying children over something so preventable!!!!

[medic2012]

These energy drinks should definitely be regulated. These are teenagers who are getting sick or dying. I know, you say it is the parent's responsibility, and yes the parents should talk to the kids about the dangers involved, just as they should discuss the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The thing is this, these drinks have a higher concentration of caffeine than sodas. And yes they are closer to the amount in some Starbuck's coffee drinks. But think on this. People usually only drink ONE Starbuck's a day...they are full of calories, fat and freakin expensive. However, some people drink MULTIPLE sodas a day. Caffeine IS A DRUG, if it is unsafe for kids to drink these energy drinks, it should not be sold with sodas. Parents cannot be with their TEENAGERS all the time. These kids are not toddlers!!! They can walk to the corner store and buy these drinks themselves because they are not regulated! They should be! Just like Cigarettes and Alcohol. Kids are not mature enough to make responsible decisions all the time. These drinks are giving them a legal buzz which is why they are drinking them, and SNEAKING them BEHIND THEIR PARENTS BACKS!!!!

[poodin100]

I love how media sensationalizes these things. Instead of stating how a 24 oz. Monster has as much caffeine as the average 16 oz. cup of coffee (and 25% less than some like Starbuck's Pike Place), they choose to compare it to a 12 oz. soda and state that it has seven times the caffeine. Mountain Dew would have been a better comparison (with about 1/3 the caffeine of Monster. We all know that coffee is the real competitor here, so it's pretty comparable. Will I now be able to sue a coffee company because I drop their hot product in my lap and then I get a heart attack from drinking what's left? Where's the personal accountability?

[BenWahBalls]

over 10 million people consume energy drinks allegedly 5 people die as a result of it's consumption. Aspirin kills far more people at a much higher rate and aspirin is considered a safe product. Conclusion, monster energy drinks are a safe product.

[M0NST3RADD1CT]

ok So, this might be a long comment but it will be well worth the words. I am a super addictive person to monster energy drinks. i rely on that caffine to jump start my 10 hour work shifts at my job. I personally think that the parents are to blame for this. Why you may ask... hmmm.. lets see.

1. you child is 14 years of age. therefore as a parent you are responsible for their daily diet and caffine consumption. even if it were to be done behind your back it would be still your fault for discipline.

2. on every can of monster energy it has a listed amount of caffine and even better then that... a WARNING sign that states do not drink if your a " pregnant women or children. or people sensitive to caffeine." therefore also your faultt because apparently your child is sensitive to caffine.

I can vouch for monster enerygy drink. not because i kno them personally... (not that lucky) but because everyday i drink 3-4 if not 5 monster energy drinks a day. and still have yet to lived.

Point being made. Not the Suppliers fault!@# its your own parental supervision that has caused your childs death. END OF RANTING

[MONSTERSIMMORTAL]

That is whats up.