The Cocaine Energy Drink produced by a Las Vegas company is under attack by the FDA. According to an article, the Food and Drug Administration said Redux Beverages LLC is illegally marketing the drink as both a street drug alternative and a dietary supplement.
The FDA cites as evidence the drink's own labeling and Web site, which include the statements "Speed in a Can," "Liquid Cocaine" and "Cocaine — Instant Rush." In addition, dietary supplements cannot carry claims to prevent or treat a disease — something only drugs can do. The Cocaine Web site lists an ingredient called inositol and says it reduces cholesterol and helps prevent hardening of the arteries, among other health claims, the FDA said.
The FDA is saying that Cocaine is a new drug and as such cannot be sold without FDA approval. The FDA gave the company 15 days to notify the agency of its plans to correct the violations of federal law. Otherwise, it can face seizure of its products, injunctions and possible criminal prosecution.
When I introduced Cocaine Energy Drink in my blog I mentioned that I disagreed with the product, its Web site and its marketing tactics. I believe that FDA is doing the right thing by forcing Redux Beverages LLC to make a change in the marketing and claims about their product.
Monday, April 16, 2007
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Energy MILK?
Bravo! Brands Inc. (BRVO) , a brand development and marketing company that promotes and distributes vitamin-fortified, flavored milk drinks and other beverages, announced that it will expand milk into two new categories by entering the large and fast growing sports and energy drink markets with milk-based products.
Bravo! is currently researching and testing Slammers(R) Energy Milk, which is expected to combine the goodness of milk in a beverage that provides twice the energy of the leading energy drink.
By creating this product, Bravo! is seeking entry into the energy drink market, and because milk can play an important role in post-exercise recovery and rehydration I think they have created a product that is going to really sell. The energy drink marketing is pulling in a lot of money, and energy milk seems to be a healthier alternative to, say, Red Bull or Spike Shooter. The only thing I worry about is what the energy milk could possibly taste like. I’m thinking not too good.
Bravo! is currently researching and testing Slammers(R) Energy Milk, which is expected to combine the goodness of milk in a beverage that provides twice the energy of the leading energy drink.
By creating this product, Bravo! is seeking entry into the energy drink market, and because milk can play an important role in post-exercise recovery and rehydration I think they have created a product that is going to really sell. The energy drink marketing is pulling in a lot of money, and energy milk seems to be a healthier alternative to, say, Red Bull or Spike Shooter. The only thing I worry about is what the energy milk could possibly taste like. I’m thinking not too good.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
As soda makers put more information about caffeine content on their products, people are becoming more aware of the amount of caffeine they are putting in their bodies. However, many people may not understand the good, bad and the ugly of caffeine intake. This is why a recent ABC News article took a look.
The article touches on the “good” explaining that caffeine increases your basic metabolic rate and can open up air passages and help to increase respiration rates. In addition it you have low blood pressure, caffeine can also be a simple way to give it a modest boost.
On the other hand, caffeine can be addicting, even resulting in withdrawal. Withdrawal effects include headaches, nausea, sweating, attention problems and drowsiness.
So, how much caffeine is too much? The article lists several different beverages and the amount of caffeine contained in each. It encourages readers to add daily intake of each beverage to determine how much caffeine they're getting.
Once again it all comes back to making sure you know how much caffeine you are drinking. In moderation there seems to be no problem. It’s just important to avoid excessive intake.
The article touches on the “good” explaining that caffeine increases your basic metabolic rate and can open up air passages and help to increase respiration rates. In addition it you have low blood pressure, caffeine can also be a simple way to give it a modest boost.
On the other hand, caffeine can be addicting, even resulting in withdrawal. Withdrawal effects include headaches, nausea, sweating, attention problems and drowsiness.
So, how much caffeine is too much? The article lists several different beverages and the amount of caffeine contained in each. It encourages readers to add daily intake of each beverage to determine how much caffeine they're getting.
Once again it all comes back to making sure you know how much caffeine you are drinking. In moderation there seems to be no problem. It’s just important to avoid excessive intake.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Coffee and Blood Pressure
A new study suggests that coffee lovers who are in good health may have little reason to cut back, at least as far as their blood pressure is concerned.
There has been some concern that coffee drinking may raise the risk of high blood pressure. However, in a new study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers found evidence that this is not entirely true.
According to the study, healthy women who drank up to six cups of coffee per day were no more likely than abstainers to develop high blood pressure over the next decade. Those women who drank coffee occasionally or in moderation had a higher risk of developing high blood pressure than the heavy coffee drinkers or those who didn’t drink coffee at all.
For men, the risk of high blood pressure did not significantly increase or decrease; regardless of how much coffee they drank each day. However, men who didn’t drink coffee at all did have a lower risk than any coffee drinkers.
According to a researcher, even if coffee drinking contributes to blood pressure elevations in some people the studies have failed to show that it actually raises the risk of heart disease in healthy people. However, he stressed that the study focused on adults in good general health and that the findings do not pertain to people with high blood pressure or other risk factors that increase their odds of heart disease.
I think this was a good study to conduct because there seems to be so much concern over the consumption of caffeine. This is proof that there is no reason that people shouldn’t be able to enjoy their coffee. As long as people take care of themselves they can drink away!
There has been some concern that coffee drinking may raise the risk of high blood pressure. However, in a new study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers found evidence that this is not entirely true.
According to the study, healthy women who drank up to six cups of coffee per day were no more likely than abstainers to develop high blood pressure over the next decade. Those women who drank coffee occasionally or in moderation had a higher risk of developing high blood pressure than the heavy coffee drinkers or those who didn’t drink coffee at all.
For men, the risk of high blood pressure did not significantly increase or decrease; regardless of how much coffee they drank each day. However, men who didn’t drink coffee at all did have a lower risk than any coffee drinkers.
According to a researcher, even if coffee drinking contributes to blood pressure elevations in some people the studies have failed to show that it actually raises the risk of heart disease in healthy people. However, he stressed that the study focused on adults in good general health and that the findings do not pertain to people with high blood pressure or other risk factors that increase their odds of heart disease.
I think this was a good study to conduct because there seems to be so much concern over the consumption of caffeine. This is proof that there is no reason that people shouldn’t be able to enjoy their coffee. As long as people take care of themselves they can drink away!
Sunday, March 4, 2007
More Buzz
In response to a comment on my last post, I decided to find some more information on The Coca-Cola Co. decision to start labeling the caffeine content on all its products. Indeed, the Coca-Cola Co. did decide to do this voluntary and as part of an industry initiative.
The company said it had already included caffeine labeling on its energy drink Full Throttle and its green tea Enviga products and would introduce the new labels on its other brands, starting with cans of Coca-Cola Classic, in May.
Coca-Cola has taken a big step in the right direction. I'm glad to see that companies are realizing how important it is for people know what they are drinking.
In addition, a Democratic city councilman from Brooklyn, said he intended to introduce a nonbinding Council resolution calling for the Food and Drug Administration to require that caffeine content be included in product labels on food and beverages.
This is also a huge step and definately something that is long overdue. I just keep thinking that if this were already a requirement, products like Spike Shooter would've been pulled from the market sooner and the consumers like the students in Colorado may have avoided hospitalization.
The company said it had already included caffeine labeling on its energy drink Full Throttle and its green tea Enviga products and would introduce the new labels on its other brands, starting with cans of Coca-Cola Classic, in May.
Coca-Cola has taken a big step in the right direction. I'm glad to see that companies are realizing how important it is for people know what they are drinking.
In addition, a Democratic city councilman from Brooklyn, said he intended to introduce a nonbinding Council resolution calling for the Food and Drug Administration to require that caffeine content be included in product labels on food and beverages.
This is also a huge step and definately something that is long overdue. I just keep thinking that if this were already a requirement, products like Spike Shooter would've been pulled from the market sooner and the consumers like the students in Colorado may have avoided hospitalization.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Spike Shooter
I mentioned in my last post that I was surprised that Spike Shooter would not disclose the amount of caffeine in their energy drink. I also mentioned that I had never heard of the drink. What I came across today is startling.
A Colorado high school has banned the caffeine-packed energy drink and 222 7-Eleven stores in the Colorado area have pulled it from their shelves after some students said it made them sick and shaky and caused their hearts to race.
A company Web site says Spike Shooter contains 300 milligrams of caffeine per 8.4 ounces. A five-ounce cup of coffee contains on average only 80 to 115 milligrams of caffeine. No wonder they didn't want to disclose the caffeine content!
The Web site also has a warning suggesting that consumers drink only one-half can the first time they consume the product to detemine ones tolerance. In addition, those taking other medications or those who suffer from high blood pressure are urged to stay away from the product.
OK, this is scary. How is it legal to have a product like this on the market? Two students were HOSPITALIZED! The Colorado school and 7-Eleven stores in the area are taking the right steps and others need to follow. This includes involvement by the FDA. My fear is that it is going to take a tragic event, like a death, for producers of these energy drinks and caffeinated beverages to stop making these dangerous products.
AOL News Article: Colorado High School Bans Energy Drink
A Colorado high school has banned the caffeine-packed energy drink and 222 7-Eleven stores in the Colorado area have pulled it from their shelves after some students said it made them sick and shaky and caused their hearts to race.
A company Web site says Spike Shooter contains 300 milligrams of caffeine per 8.4 ounces. A five-ounce cup of coffee contains on average only 80 to 115 milligrams of caffeine. No wonder they didn't want to disclose the caffeine content!
The Web site also has a warning suggesting that consumers drink only one-half can the first time they consume the product to detemine ones tolerance. In addition, those taking other medications or those who suffer from high blood pressure are urged to stay away from the product.
OK, this is scary. How is it legal to have a product like this on the market? Two students were HOSPITALIZED! The Colorado school and 7-Eleven stores in the area are taking the right steps and others need to follow. This includes involvement by the FDA. My fear is that it is going to take a tragic event, like a death, for producers of these energy drinks and caffeinated beverages to stop making these dangerous products.
AOL News Article: Colorado High School Bans Energy Drink
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Drink and Die
While searching for the latest news related to caffeine and energy drinks, I came across an interesting tool. Energyfiend.com offers a quick test that tells you how many of your choice of caffeinated drink you can have before dying.
I used the tool, titled Death by Caffeine, and chose Cocaine Energy Drink, due to the recent controversy surrounding the beverage. I found that it would take 27 cans to do me in. Then I noticed that right beneath the results was a link that led me to where I could purchase the drink. Yes! That's exactly what I want to do!
After choosing Cocaine Energy Drink, I selected Spike Shooter. I've never heard of the drink, but something attracted me to it. The results read "Unfortunately, the makers of Spike Shooter refuse to disclose caffeine levels." Interesting.
Go ahead, pick your poison.
I used the tool, titled Death by Caffeine, and chose Cocaine Energy Drink, due to the recent controversy surrounding the beverage. I found that it would take 27 cans to do me in. Then I noticed that right beneath the results was a link that led me to where I could purchase the drink. Yes! That's exactly what I want to do!
After choosing Cocaine Energy Drink, I selected Spike Shooter. I've never heard of the drink, but something attracted me to it. The results read "Unfortunately, the makers of Spike Shooter refuse to disclose caffeine levels." Interesting.
Go ahead, pick your poison.
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