Prime Energy Drinks recalled in Canada

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has announced that it will recall six brands of energy drinks for non-compliance with caffeine content and labeling requirements.

The recall includes the Prime Energy brand, which the U.S. Food and Drug Agency has encouraged to investigate.

“In Canada, Prime Energy is considered a dietary supplement and is subject to dietary supplement regulations,” said Marie-Pier Burelle, media relations consultant for Health Canada’s division of communications and public affairs and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

“Under these regulations, energy drinks cannot contain more than 180mg of caffeine in a single-serve container and warnings must be provided to protect sensitive subpopulations, including children. Prime Energy exceeds the acceptable limit for caffeine. That’s why it can’t be sold in Canada,” she told The Epoch Times.

While Prime hasn’t officially launched its drinks in Canada yet, it’s available for purchase in stores across the country. The official Canadian product is expected to contain approximately 140mg per can once it is commercially available.

The CFIA said customers should not “consume, serve, use, sell or distribute” beverages containing more than 180 mg of caffeine. Health Canada and the CFIA said they are aware that some stores in Canada may be selling Prime Energy without approval and are “actively working to address this issue.”

In addition to Prime’s recall, the 3D Alphaland, 5 Hour, Celsius, GFuel and Sting brands are also being recalled for non-compliance with caffeine content and labeling requirements.

On July 11, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called on federal regulators to investigate Prime over its marketing practices, alleging that Prime Energy was packaged and marketed in almost identical fashion to the brand’s decaf beverage , Prime Hydration.

Research has shown that Caffeinated energy drinks can negatively affect young people, with a review of recent research showing that caffeine intoxication can potentially lead to tachycardia, vomiting, cardiac arrhythmias, seizures and even death.