How much caffeine is in the energy drink that YOUR child prefers?
If British pupils regularly consume popular energy drinks, Mail Online can disclose that their daily caffeine intake may be at potentially hazardous levels.
Caffeine content in energy drinks like Rockstar, PRIME, and Monster ranges from 160 to 200 mg per 500 ml, which is double the amount in a typical cup of coffee (80 mg).
The beverages also have more than four times as much caffeine as a typical 330-ml can of coke, which is a beverage that is often best consumed in moderation.
Since its debut last year, PRIME, which is marketed by YouTubers Logan Paul and KSI, has become a global phenomenon. Due of the social media buzz surrounding PRIME items, they quickly sold out in supermarkets, which resulted in long lines, restrictions on how many customers could purchase, fights breaking out in the aisles, bottles selling for up to £100, and muggers and near-riots in stores during the worldwide frenzy.
The well-known energy drink, however, has been charged of inciting kids to make hazardous decision
In light of US Senator Chuck Schumer’s request for the FDA to look into PRIME, experts worry that the UK Government will be slow to act to prevent children from purchasing it.
Children should not consume any caffeine at all, according to Dr. Tamara Alireza, a functional medicine specialist at skin Influencer London, who also told Mail Online that too much caffeine can be harmful to young people.
Because caffeine is a stimulant, she explained, it has an impact on the CNS. However, if we consume too much caffeine, it may cause unpleasant side effects like headaches, insomnia, and stomachaches In recent years, there has been significant concern regarding the intake of caffeinated energy drinks (CEDs) and its consequences in anyone under the age of 18 years old. For youngsters, these adverse side effects may be more common than they are in adults.
“Research and studies have shown that the effects of CEDs on children can be three-fold, i.e., behavioral (such as hyperactivity and irritability), psychological (such as anxiety, sleep difficulties, and low mood), or physical (such as headaches, stomach aches, dizziness, and raised blood pressure).
The fact that up to one-third of kids in the UK frequently consume caffeine is alarming.
Five years ago, the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) commissioned a study to examine the possibility of enacting a ban on the sale of CEDs to minors, although no such prohibition has yet been made legally binding.
“That said, some stores have already enacted a ban on sales to minors, but this is entirely at their discretion,” the statement continues.
And there have been other examples of these alarming effects being apparent in UK schools, such as earlier this year when a youngster who had consumed alcohol experienced a “cardiac episode” and required stomach pumping.
There are two types of the product: Prime Hydration, which has no caffeine and is available in bottles with flavours like Orange, Grape, and Ice Pop.
Orange Mango and Strawberry Watermelon flavors of Prime Energy are available in cans. It debuted at the end of April and has a lot of caffeine.
The Department of Health and Social Care declined to comment on the possibility of an FDA inquiry into PRIME when contacted for clarification of their position.
Instead, the department informed Mail Online that the Government has held consultations over a plan to stop selling energy drinks to children in England and that we would be providing a complete response to the consultation in due course.
PRIME, Monster, Rockstar, and Lucozade were contacted by Mail Online for further information regarding their high caffeine beverages.
PRIME has two drinks available on the market: PRIME Hydration and PRIME Energy, according to a company spokeswoman. The two products must be distinguished because they are quite different from one another.
We introduced Hydration, a bottle-based, healthier sports drink option, when we launched PRIME last year. PRIME Energy, an energy drink that comes in a can and was introduced in 2023, has a caffeine content comparable to other popular energy drinks and is offered in areas where it is permitted to do so.
It conformed with all FDA regulations before going on sale and clearly mentions on the package and in promotional materials that it is
“As a brand, consumer safety is our top priority, so we welcome discussions with the FDA or any other organization regarding suggested industry changes they feel are necessary to protect consumers,” the company stated.
According to a representative for Suntory Beverage and Food GB&I, “We market Lucozade Alert responsibly and categorically do not target children.”
Our ethical approach continues to promote voluntary sales prohibitions on high-caffeine stimulant drinks to those under the age of 16 and excludes collaboration with influencers who have a clear bias towards youth.
“Lucozade Alert was created in response to the needs of our customers who wished to fight fatigue while enjoying the fantastic taste we have to offer. The caffeine level of Alert is very prominently highlighted in our marketing materials, and we explicitly state that it is not suitable for children.
“We always seek to use the power of our brands responsibly, and our Responsible Marketing Code directs that we do not target the advertising of products to children under 12,” a Rockstar spokeswoman said.
Additionally, we won’t advertise high caffeine items to anyone under the age of 16.
Rockstar Energy Original contains 200 mg of caffeine per can, which is equal to two cups of brewed coffee. Other products in the line, such as Rockstar Juiced El Mango, contain 160 mg of caffeine per can.
