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The FDA is in receipt of a letter from a group of doctors and researchers urging the agency to...

  • Tuesday, March 19, 1:48 PM ET
    The FDA is in receipt of a letter from a group of doctors and researchers urging the agency to take action on the caffeine levels in energy drinks. Though large-sized coffee drinks contain a much higher level of caffeine, data on emergency room visits suggests more complications are seen from the consumption of energy drinks than other caffeinated drinks. Shares of Monster Beverage (MNST), up 2.5%, remain unfazed by the most recent attack on the energy drink industry.
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This news story has 12 comments:

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    Maybe the reason Energy Drinks, though having less caffeine than large size coffee, are more dangerous due to being mixed with other chemicals. Coffee is not mixed with anything, its just coffee, a natural bean. Energy Drinks are manufactured - a mix of many ingredients - guarana, taurine, l-caratine, etc.... Maybe rather than looking at solely the effects of caffeine, they should study the combined effects of all ingredients. Plus coffee isn't mixed with alcohol as much as energy drinks.
    19 Mar, 02:55 PM Reply Like
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    You're right. I think they should also include McDonald's & Wendy's. Hell Dave Thomas died because eating too many hamburgers. I guess hamburgers clotting your artieries is ok because that's only over your lifetime?
    19 Mar, 03:14 PM Reply Like
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    Heart Attack Grill. http://bit.ly/XoxTa6
    19 Mar, 10:30 PM Reply Like
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    The conclusion in the letter is that caffeine levels in energy drinks may be unsafe, and that there is evidence that "caffeine levels in energy drinks pose serious health risks, including increased risk for serious injury or even death." The letter does not address the fact that Starbucks (and other) coffees contain more caffeine than energy drinks. The letter implies that naturally occurring caffeine is safe, while added caffeine is not. Is there any evidence to support this claim?

    Are consumers of coffeehouse coffee also at risk of death?
    19 Mar, 03:54 PM Reply Like
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    I read that drink 2-4 cups of coffee a day will allow you to live healthier and longer. It is the antioxidants in coffee.
    19 Mar, 10:35 PM Reply Like
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    User has it correct unlike Red Arrow. The point being, a coffee bean is natural and has natural occurring caffeine.
    Energy drinks are manufactured and has synthetic/manufactured caffeine added. Plus other manufactured ingredients added that can increase the effects of caffeine as well as other ingredients.
    End of day we just need to have a study done on these effects.

    And yes Red Arrow, just like Red Meat has been studied - that too much can cause high cholesterol, cancer, etc... At least the study has been done and the public is well informed.

    Why are you so scared to have a true study on energy drinks? Should the public not be thoroughly informed?
    20 Mar, 11:58 AM Reply Like
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    Scared? Ok yes you got me as I'm literally staying up at nights just waiting for the FDA, FTC and other European commissions outright banning energy drinks. Does that make you happy? Next thing you're going to tell me that soft drinks have killed over 180,000 people? lol. You keep bringing the negative and yet it continues to flourish.
    20 Mar, 03:27 PM Reply Like
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    LOL, funny you mention soda as recent Harvard study shows - http://bit.ly/Y1Lacq
    Sure the ABA will fight it, but its all true. Let the consumer decide with all the knowledge. Not being negative, we all just need to be well informed. I would hate for my child to be drinking something which in the future, after someone finally researched, causes a fatal health risk.

    Cigarettes still sell but at least everyone knows all the risks!

    Flourish, well lets says 2 huge insiders buy backs may have helped. And a great story on how media has caused consumption to go down.

    Well, only time will tell will it. But one would have to be blind to ignore, that in todays day and age, consumers are smarter and switch trends more often than the past. And now I would have to say the Trend is highly changing to a Natural/Healthy living lifestyle. And yes, for a caffeine fix the trend is also going towards a natural cup of coffee with natural occurring caffeine.
    21 Mar, 12:53 PM Reply Like
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    Yes I made that statement about soda with tongue and cheek. Do you think the FDA blindly approves energy drinks? Hell the FDA has been well documented how strict things need to be in this country. Energy drinks much like drilling for oil are easy whipping boys for politicans. They just bandwagon on anything to garner support or to make it look like they are concerned about an issue. When that girls court case gets dismissed or they lose it will be a footnote on the backpages.
    21 Mar, 01:36 PM Reply Like
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    FDA is about as lazy as a Politician as is Airport Security. C'mon we had to get to Sep 11th to take some action. You had to have horse meat in burgers to take action and soon will have to wait til everyone starts having irregular heart beats/anxiety attacks for them to take action on energy drinks.

    http://bloom.bg/16M7VUT

    All I am saying is why do we always react after the fact and not before the fact! There needs to be long term effect study just like every other product!

    Time will tell hence MNST a High Risk.
    21 Mar, 06:29 PM Reply Like
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    There's no conclusive evidence that's why. Long term studies? Well it's not like energy drinks just started selling 5 years ago so any study will point either way to fit your agenda. MNST has already indicated they are going to start labeling more details in what's in the drink and they have nothing to hide. It's not just the FDA but other countries who have strict guidelines. MNST even had to change some of the ingredients to enter France. The problem is MNST along with other energy drinks they are now guilty until proven innocent.
    21 Mar, 07:51 PM Reply Like
  •  
    Face it, you can die from anything. The U.S. has the most expensive healthcare in the world because:
    - people sue doctors too much for minor injuries or when they did get injured even when they knew the risks
    - smokers sue cigarette makers when they develop cancer even when they knew the risks
    - we are so eager to live another 6 weeks despite a $1.7 million treatment cost
    - we have the most elaborate system to prevent us from getting sick or dying
    - and we don't pool the costs, as other countries do.
    21 Mar, 09:05 PM Reply Like
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