A representative for Monster Beverage Corp. released the following statement about their drinks' safety:
"We were saddened to hear about this tragedy, no matter what the cause. We first learned about the incident when we were contacted by a reporter several weeks ago. We have not been contacted by either the family or the coroner, so we have almost no facts, making it exceedingly difficult for us to comment.
"Monster Energy drinks are completely safe, and we stand behind our products.
"On an ounce per ounce, basis there is more than double the caffeine in the leading brand of brewed coffee than there is in Monster Energy drinks.
"As stated in an independent report published in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 'caffeine amounts in coffee-based drinks can vary wildly,' and one 16-oz. cup of the leading brewed coffee brand has been shown to contain from 300 to 564 mg. of caffeine, which would be an average of 27 mg. per ounce. By comparison, two 24-oz. cans of Monster—each can contains three servings—contain a total of 480 mg of caffeine, or 10 mg. per ounce. In other words, the average amount of caffeine in a single venti-size cup of the leading brewed coffee exceeds the amount of caffeine in two 24-oz. cans of Monster Energy drinks combined. Additionally, in the case of Monster Energy drinks, the caffeine amount is consistent and controlled."
Paul Yoffe with Red Bull released the following statement to FOX Carolina:
"An 8.4 oz can of Red Bull contains 80mg of caffeine. For comparison, a 6 oz cup of filtered coffee contains 80 to 150 mg of caffeine. Mainstream energy drinks such as Red Bull Energy Drink contain three key ingredients that are naturally found in the human body or in common foods: caffeine, taurine and glucuronolactone.
"Each ingredient meets the FDA's safety requirements. The ingredients have been found to be safe both alone and in combination. Red Bull Energy Drink has been marketed since 1987, and is now sold in more than 160 countries (including the United States, all 27 member states of the European Union, Canada, Russia, Australia and Brazil) because health authorities around the world have concluded that the product is safe to consume.
"Consumers trust the fact that energy drinks have been on the market in the US for nearly 15 years, billions of cans are consumed each year and their ingredients meet the FDA's safety requirements."
