SAN FRANCISCO-- Monster is again drawing questions over the energy drink's caffeine levels. San Francisco city attorney Dennis Herrera is seeking answers from the makers of Monster to substantiate marketing claims that the large dosages of caffeine contained in the beverages are "completely safe" for consumption by adolescents and adults.
Corona, Calif.-based Monster Beverage Corp. has come under heightened scrutiny recently following reports in late October to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) that the product may be linked to as many as five deaths since 2009 (see Related Content below for previous CSP Daily News coverage).
Herrera issued a letter under provisions of California's Unfair Competition Law that empower city attorneys to demand evidence for purportedly fact-based advertising claims.
Herrera alleges that the company "encourages unsafe and irresponsible consumption of Monster Energy products," citing marketing that marketing messages including "you can never get too much of a good thing."
Click here to view Herrera's full letter.
In a statement obtained by The New York Times, Monster Beverage said: "The company can document the legal basis by which its products are properly labeled dietary supplements, and third party scientific documentation substantiates their safety."
Monster Energy drinks do not disclose caffeine levels. But product labels advise against drinking more than three of the 16-ounce cans or two of the 24-ounce cans daily, amounts that each contain a total of 480 milligrams of caffeine.
Monster Beverage is a marketer and distributor of energy drinks and alternative beverages, including Monster Energy brand energy drinks, Monster Energy Extra Strength Nitrous Technology brand energy drinks, Java Monster brand non-carbonated coffee + energy drinks, X-Presso Monster brand noncarbonated espresso energy drinks, M3 Monster Energy Super Concentrate energy drinks, Monster Rehab noncarbonated rehydration energy drinks, Ubermonster energy drinks, Worx Energy shots, and Peace Tea iced teas, as well as Hansen's natural sodas, apple juice and juice blends, multi-vitamin juices, Junior Juice beverages, Blue Sky beverages, Hubert's Lemonades, Vidration vitamin enhanced waters and PRE Probiotic drinks.
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