Highly caffeinated version of Prime Energy drink ordered recalled by federal government
CBC
A highly caffeinated version of a new energy drink made popular by social media influencers, which is being sold at some stores in Canada in violation of national heath regulations, is being recalled.
Cans of Prime Energy, each with 200 milligrams of caffeine, have been seen on shelves in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta, CBC News has learned.
That exceeds Health Canada's limit by 20 milligrams.
"As a result, it should not be sold in Canada," a Health Canada spokesperson said in an email on Tuesday.
In a separate email to CBC News sent late Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said the product was being recalled following a health risk assessment by Health Canada. Details of the recall were to be published Wednesday.
It was not immediately clear where the stores got the product, one of two drinks made by the social media influencers Logan Paul and KSI.
Prime Energy was also being sold on Walmart Canada's online marketplace, but was removed after CBC News asked about it. Walmart says it has notified the third-party seller.
In an email, Prime said it follows the regulations set out by the countries it sells in. It said its Canadian version has 140 milligrams of caffeine.
Asked to account for the presence of the 200-milligram U.S. cans, Prime repeated that it "complies with federal regulations."
The company noted that the packaging says Prime Energy is "an energy drink and is not made for anyone under the age of 18."
The president of the Canadian Beverage Association (CBA) says they're aware people might be importing the drink and "circumnavigating standard food labelling and approval processes."
"I think it's disappointing, candidly," said Krista Scaldwell. "We want safety being a top priority."
She says most caffeinated drinks sold in Canada have 80 milligrams of caffeine in a 250-millilitre can.
She says if someone finds the product in stores, they should report it to the CFIA.
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