Concerns Over Caffeine Levels in Energy Drinks
July 13, 2023
Senator Chuck Schumer is asking the Federal Drug Administration to investigate an energy drink he said is marketed to children.
The concern is the amount of caffeine in the energy drink Prime. Children may have heard of it on TikTok and other social media sites, but a doctor said you may want to think twice before letting your child drink it.
It's produced by popular influencers and advertised on social media and is causing consternation in Congress.
"A lot of parents have never heard of it, but their kids have because PRIME has engaged in an advanced advertising campaign aimed at kids, even though kids aren't supposed to drink anything with this much caffeine," Schumer said.
The drink contains 200 milligrams of caffeine, the equivalent to more than two cups of coffee, two and a half cans of red bull, or six cans of Coca-Cola.
Ashanti Woods, M.D., FAAP, specializing in General Pediatrics at Mercy Family Care Physicians in Baltimore, explains the symptoms children can experience with that much caffeine.
"Two hundred (milligrams) is way too much," Dr. Woods said, "They can experience a number of symptoms to include jitteriness, anxiety, stomach upset. It really affects their sleep as well, their ability to fall asleep."
What is a safe amount of caffeine? According to Dr. Woods, for children under 12, no amount is appropriate. For children 12-17, up to 100 milligrams, about one cup of coffee, is acceptable. And for adults, up to 400 milligrams is safe; that's about four cups of coffee.
It's important to understand that consuming large quantities of caffeine, no matter one's age is actually dangerous.
"Some of the more serious complications you can see with caffeine include seizures, heart rhythm abnormalities, coma and death," Dr. Woods said.
In a statement, the company said it has complied with all FDA guidelines; on its website, Prime states that its energy drinks are not recommended for children under 18, women who are pregnant or nursing, or individuals who are sensitive to caffeine.
About Mercy
Founded in 1874 in Downtown Baltimore by the Sisters of Mercy, Mercy Medical Center is a 183-licensed bed, acute care, university-affiliated teaching hospital. Mercy has been recognized as a high-performing Maryland hospital (U.S. News & World Report); has achieved an overall 5-Star quality, safety, and patient experience rating (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services); is A-rated for Hospital Safety (Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade); and is certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet™ hospital. Mercy Health Services is a not-for-profit health system and the parent company of Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Personal Physicians.
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