HAGERSTOWN, MD. -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it's investigating reports of five deaths and a non-fatal heart attack linked to highly caffeinated Monster Energy Drinks.
The agency acknowledged the adverse reports Monday, but FDA spokeswoman Shelly Burgess says they don't prove that the drinks caused the deaths.
The news follows last week's filing in California of a wrongful death suit by the parents of a 14-year-old, Hagerstown, Md., girl who died after drinking two, 24-ounce Monster Beverage Corp. drinks in 24 hours.
She had an inherited disorder that can weaken blood vessels.
Monster said it does not believe its drinks are “in any way responsible” for the girl’s death.
Two Monster Energy drinks has as much caffeine as 14 sodas.
“Monster is unaware of any fatality anywhere that has been caused by its drinks,” the company said in a statement. It said it intends to vigorously defend itself against the lawsuit.
The family of Anais Fournier filed a lawsuit on Friday against Monster for failing to warn about the product’s dangers.
The lawsuit, filed in California Superior Court in Riverside, said that after drinking two 24-ounce cans of Monster Energy on consecutive days Ms. Fournier went into cardiac arrest. She died days later on Dec. 23, 2011, from what the lawsuit said was “cardiac arrhythmia due to caffeine toxicity” that complicated a heart disorder she already had.
On Monday, FDA spokeswoman Shelly Burgess said the agency had received reports of five deaths and one heart attack that may be associated with the Monster Energy drink from 2009 through June this year.
Monster is the leading U.S. energy drink by volume with nearly 39% of the U.S. market, but Austria’s Red Bull has the highest share by revenue due to its premium price.
In July, New York State’s Attorney-General issued subpoenas to three energy drink makers – Monster, PepsiCo and Living Essentials LLC – seeking information on the companies’ marketing and advertising practices.
PepsiCo makes the AMP energy drink and Living Essentials makes 5-Hour Energy.
Shares of the Corona, Calif.-based company plunged $7.20, or 13.5 percent, to $46.12 in trading Monday.
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