14 DAY TRIAL // The US Food and Drug Administration has just made it public news that, in the aftermath of as many as five death reports that could potentially be linked to a rather insignificant intake of Monster Energy drink, specialists are to investigate whether or not the caffeine concentrations in this beverage constitute a threat to public health.
Apparently, what sparked their interest in this matter is the fact that, only this past December, a 14-year-old girl from Maryland ended up suffering a heart attack and dying shortly after she consumed two cans of Monster Energy Drink.
Anais Fournier's parents took it to themselves to file a lawsuit against the company responsible for manufacturing and marketing this drink.
Their basic claim is that the beverage contains more than double the amount of cocaine found in one's run-off-the-mill cola, and is therefore a “death trap.”
More precisely, they base their accusations on the autopsy report and argue that the high caffeine toxicity levels induced by this drink were what kept the girl's heart from properly pumping blood and therefore led to her death.
Interestingly enough, the US Food and Drug Administration admits that, throughout the years, several people have reported experiencing health problems after consuming Monster Energy Drink, but maintain that no direct link can be established between said beverage and the reported health issues.
On the other hand, Daily Mail quotes Anais Fournier's mother, who made a case of how, “With their bright colors and names like Monster, Rockstar, and Full Throttle, these drinks are targeting teenagers with no oversight or accountability.”
“These drinks are death traps for young, developing girls and boys, like my daughter, Anais,” she went on to argue.
“Monster is unaware of any fatality anywhere that has been caused by its drinks,” a spokesperson for the company responded to these accusations.
As was to be expected, this lawsuit took its toll on the Monster Beverage Corp company, whose shares have already plunged by 14.2%.