Senator Calls for FDA Investigation into High-Caffeine Prime Energy Beverage

July 10, 2023

The YouTube influencer-created beverage contains the same amount of caffeine as six cans of Coca-Cola and could be confused with non-caffeinated variety, senator believes.

Andy Hanacek

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer this weekend called for the FDA to investigate Prime Energy, a trendy energy drink containing as much caffeine as six cans of Coca-Cola, created by YouTube influencers Logan Paul and KSI.

The Prime Energy beverage launched in 2022, and Schumer believes the high caffeine content warranted the administration’s attention, particularly in relation to the accessibility children have to the drink, according to reports. Prime Energy contains 200 mg of caffeine per 12 ounces — nearly the same amount of caffeine in two Red Bull drinks.

Prime Energy is not recommended for children under the age of 18, women who are pregnant or nursing, or individuals who are sensitive to caffeine, and Prime also sells a non-caffeinated hydration drink in similar packaging. Schumer was additionally concerned that the packaging and marketing of the two drinks were too similar and could cause confusion leading to children mistakenly consuming the highly caffeinated product.

The company responded to a Reuters request that it had complied with FDA guidelines before the product hit the market, and that its warning labels are on the company's packaging and marketing — and that it would welcome any discussions that help protect consumers.

About the Author

Andy Hanacek | Senior Editor

Andy Hanacek has covered meat, poultry, bakery and snack foods as a B2B editor for nearly 20 years, and has toured hundreds of processing plants and food companies, sharing stories of innovation and technological advancement throughout the food supply chain. In 2018, he won a Folio:Eddie Award for his unique "From the Editor's Desk" video blogs, and he has brought home additional awards from Folio and ASBPE over the years. In addition, Hanacek led the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for several years and was vice president of communications for We R Food Safety, a food safety software and consulting company.