The politician says the marketing for Prime energy drink is could lead parents to confuse it with Prime Hydration, which has no caffeine (Picture: In Pictures via Getty Images)
A US senator has called for an energy drink backed by two YouTube stars to be investigated by lawmakers and health experts over its caffeine levels.
Senator Charles Schumer has called on the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) to look into Prime, a beverage brand founded by Logan Paul and KSI.
Mr Schumer, a Democrat from New York, said: ‘One of the summer’s hottest status symbols for kids is not an outfit, or a toy – it’s a beverage.
‘But buyer and parents beware because it’s a serious health concern for the kids it so feverishly targets.’
Prime was an instant success when it launched last year, leading to long queues in supermarkets and even a resale market in school playgrounds.
The brand currently sells two drinks: Prime energy drink which contains 200 milligrams of caffeine per 12 ounces, and Prime Hydration which contains no caffeine at all.
Representatives for Prime defended the energy drink, which contains the same amount of caffeine as six cans of coke, saying the cans are clearly labelled ‘not recommended for children under 18’.
But in his letter to the FDA, Mr Schumer said there was ‘little noticeable difference’ in the marketing for the two drinks, which could lead parents to believe they were buying juice for their children, rather than a ‘cauldron of caffeine’.
He added: ‘A simple search on social media for Prime will generate an eye-popping amount of sponsored content, which is advertising.
‘This content and the claims made should be investigated, along with the ingredients and the caffeine content in the Prime energy drink.’
The caffeine levels in Prime led to bans on the drink in some schools in the UK and Australia, where paediatricians warned of possible health impacts on young children including heart problems, anxiety and digestive issues.
One child even had to have their stomach pumped after drinking the energy drink.
Prime has been contacted for comment.
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‘One of the summer’s hottest status symbols for kids is not an outfit, or a toy – it’s a beverage.’