A drink, created in partnership with the family of reggae legend Bob Marley, is the latest beverage enduring bad publicity after several kids in New Jersey fell ill.
Marley's Mellow Mood drink contains a number of botanicals — including chamomile, hops, lemon balm, passion flower and valerian root — that enhance mood, inhibit adrenaline, promote relaxation and reduce anxiety, according to the Marley Beverage Company website. But the beverage was removed from Satz Middle School and Holmdel High School after students who drank it reported headaches, lethargy and nausea, the Ashbury Park Press wrote.
The school district's food service provider, Chartwells School Dining Services, observed the beverage wasn't approved for sale at any of its schools.
"We sincerely regret that this product was sold and that students had an adverse reaction to it," Chartwells said in a statement quoted by the Ashbury Park Press. "Chartwells takes great pride and care in partnering with our school communities to provide the best school dining experience possible and we take this situation very seriously."
The report is just the latest development highlighting the vulnerability of children to certain beverages. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating the safety of energy drinks after reports surfaced potentially linking Monster Energy drinks and 5-hour Energy shots to several deaths. Some lawmakers have raised concerns that such drinks pose particular hazards to children.
Marley's Mellow Mood is pitched "as the anti-energy drink". But the beverage is not intended for children and may cause drowsiness, according to the nutrition facts on its website.
