Food FYI: 5-Hour Energy drinks linked to 13 deaths

The FDA reported that high-caffeine 5-Hour Energy drinks have been cited in the deaths of 13 people in the last four years.

An FDA spokeswoman said in an interview with Bloomberg News that the energy shot has been associated with 92 “adverse event� reports in that time, including 32 hospitalizations. The FDA is investigating the deaths.

5-Hour Energy, Monster and other energy drinks are being targeted by lawmakers seeking caffeine limits on the products. Regulators last month said drinks from Corona-based Monster have been cited in the deaths of five people in the last year, according to doctors’ reports filed with the FDA.
Farmington Hills, Mich.-based Living Essentials, which distributes 5-Hour Energy, said in a statement it “is unaware of any deaths proven to have been caused by the consumption of 5-Hour Energy. It is important to note that submitting a serious adverse event report to the FDA, according the agency itself, is not construed by FDA as an admission that the dietary supplement was involved, caused or contributed to the adverse event being reported.�

5-Hour Energy said on its website that the energy shot contains the same amount of caffeine as 12 ounces of coffee and recommends drinking no more than two bottles per day, several hours apart.

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