Dennis J. Herrera, San Francisco's city attorney, on Wednesday raised concerns over the caffeine levels of Monster Energy drinks, requesting evidence that the beverages are safe for adolescents.
In a letter to Monster Beverage Corp., Herrera cited scientific studies on excessive caffeine levels, the death of a 14-year-old girl whose parents have sued the company and other "adverse event reports" sent to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and linked to Monster Energy drinks.
"Because energy drinks like Monster far exceed the safe caffeine levels for adolescents, the American Academy of Pediatrics has concluded that energy drinks 'should never be consumed' by adolescents," Herrera wrote in the letter to Monster Beverage Chief Executive Rodney C. Sacks. "Despite these exceedingly high caffeine levels, Monster Beverage Corporation encourages unsafe and irresponsible consumption of Monster Energy products."
In the four-page letter, Herrera also accused Corona, Calif.-based Monster of marketing its energy drinks as dietary supplements when the company doesn't meet the definition and "perhaps in an attempt to circumvent the safety standards required for food and beverage addictives."
Herrera asked Monster for evidence to support its safety claims and requested reports of experiments and other information to back up claims based on scientific studies or research.
As reported by The New York Times, Monster responded in a statement: "The company can document the legal basis by which its products are properly labeled dietary supplements, and third party scientific documentation substantiates their safety."
The FDA is investigating five deaths and one non-fatal heart attack in connection with Monster Energy drinks. Of the five fatalities potentially linked to the company's beverages, FDA received three reports earlier this year, one in March and two in April, according to records we obtained from the American Association of Justice.
