The caffeinated energy drink 5-Hour Energy has been cited in at least 13 deaths in complaints to the Food and Drug Administration.
Over 90 health complaints have been submitted about the drink, which contains an undisclosed amount of caffeine. Complaints include heart attacks, convulsions and a spontaneous abortion.
It's important to note that at this stage, no complaints submitted to the FDA have been verified, though the agency is investigating, as it does with complaints of this nature about nearly any product on grocery or pharmacy shelves in the country.
Living Essentials, the maker of 5-Hour Energy, released a statement in response to the allegations.
"We recommend on product labels and the 5-hour ENERGY website that individuals consume no more than two bottles of 5-hour ENERGY shots per day, spaced several hours apart. We also recommend individuals new to 5-hour ENERGY try half a bottle to start, wait 10 minutes and consume the rest later. Consumers who have caffeine sensitivities should consult with a physician before taking, and can consider the "decaf" version."
"Living Essentials LLC, distributor of 5-hour ENERGY®, takes reports of any potential adverse event tied to our products very seriously. We fully comply with all of our reporting requirements."
"Living Essentials, LLC is unaware of any deaths proven to have been caused by the consumption of 5-Hour ENERGY."
The complaints come only a month after 5-Hour Energy competitor Monster was cited in 5 deaths.
The CEO of 5-Hour Energy, Manoj Bhargava, blamed any complications from the product on abuse.
"If you had 10 cups of coffee an hour, I think you'd end up in the hospital, he told ABC News.
"That would really be a dumb thing to do."
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