In early 2022, influencers Logan Paul and KSI launched the drink brand Prime with a sports drink that contained zero sugar or caffeine. However, after releasing a controversial energy drink—which contains six times the caffeine of a Coca-Cola—schools began banning the beverage over health concerns. Now, New York Senator Chuck Schumer is taking the issue straight to the FDA, AP News reports.
"One of the summer’s hottest status symbols for kids is not an outfit, or a toy—it’s a beverage," Schumer said of the Prime Energy Drink, which contains 200mg of caffeine. "But buyer and parents beware because it’s a serious health concern for the kids it so feverishly targets."
Prime was quick to defend its product, telling PEOPLE that the brand is "not made for anyone under the age of 18."
"PRIME Energy, sold in a can, dropped in 2023 and contains a comparable amount of caffeine to other top selling energy drinks, all falling within the legal limit of the countries it’s sold in," a spokesperson told the outlet. "It complied with all FDA guidelines before hitting the market and states clearly on packaging, as well as in marketing materials, that it is an energy drink and is not made for anyone under the age of 18."
Prime went on to call "consumer safety" the brand's "top priority," while adding that they "welcome discussions with the FDA or any other organizations regarding suggested industry changes they feel are necessary in order to protect consumers."
While Prime might have double the caffeine as a Red Bull, it isn't the only energy drink on the market with 200mg of caffeine per a can. In fact, just yesterday Kim Kardashian announced her own energy drink, and it clocks in with the same caffeine content as Prime, 200mg. Panera's Mango Yuzu Citrus Charged Lemonade faced its own backlash last winter after TikTokers discovered it contains 260mg of caffeine.
"The regular size [20 oz. lemonade] has 82 grams of sugar. Whatever," TikToker Sarah Baus said in her viral post. "Let's push that aside. It has 260 milligrams of caffeine. An espresso—I looked it up—has 63 milligrams of caffeine...I don't drink coffee. I don't have caffeine very much. I thought!"