Concern is growing around energy drinks following the death of a 14-year old American girl from what her parents are claiming was caffeine toxicity, with five deaths now linked to the beverage.
The Maryland teenager drank two of the 'Monster' energy drinks before she died after an irregular heartbeat.
An autopsy concluded she died of cardiac arrhythmia due to caffeine toxicity. She had an inherited disorder that can weaken blood vessels.
Editor-in-chief of Consumer NZ David Knowles says there's no maximum caffeine level.
"We looked at shots, because they're much more concentrated and were quite a popular thing at the time – we were concerned that there's not a maximum level set for those."
Mr Knowles would like to see the shots regulated.
But according to Food Standards Australia New Zealand, the maximum amount of caffeine allowed in a 500ml beverage here is 160mg. In New Zealand, Monster drinks reach that limit, and the US drinks have a similar amount, according to energyfiend.com.
Executive director of the Juice and Beverage Association, Kerry Tyack, says New Zealand has tight regulations that prevent dangerous products being sold here.
"There are extensive regulations that come under the constituent ingredients in the drink and in labelling claims that are made around all products, and energy drinks fall into those categories."
Monster denies their product is responsible for any of the deaths.
The US Food and Drug Administration says it's investigating the five deaths, and another report of a non-fatal heart attack.
RadioLIVE / AP / 3 News
source: newshub archive
