Lawmakers Seek More Data From Energy Drink Makers

More trouble for the energy drink business: three lawmakers have requested more information from 14 energy drink makers, to learn more about the potential health risks of the caffeinated drinks for the younger generation. 

The New York Times reports the letters, sent by Senator Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, and Representative Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts, asked for some specific details about various energy drink products from beverage companies including Monster Beverages, 5-Hour Energy, and even PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and Dr. Pepper Snapple.

What they want to know: Why a product is marked as a food product or energy supplement (as we've learned before, different energy drinks fall into different categories), how much caffeine is in a product, and whether the companies have studied their products for health effects. 

"Energy drink companies need to be clear with consumers about what they think their product is, what it contains, and what it can do," said Rep. Markey in a statement. 

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