Last month, WholeFoods reported on what the American Medical Association had to say about the safety of energy drinks; since then, there has been yet another update in the energy drink world.

A group of law makers—who had originally raised concerns about the risks of energy drinks and their contents—has put 14 energy drink companies in the hot seat, asking them to explain marketing and labeling, justify the ingredients and make their data open to the public.

Representative Ed Markey (D-MA), Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) explained to the companies that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has started an investigation into energy drinks and potential health risks. The series of questions was a sort of quiz, to ask the companies how they market their products and what are the actual caffeine levels.

Questions included the following: In addition to caffeine, does your product(s) include any other stimulants? If so, what are they and what are the amounts? Are these additional stimulants and their quantities listed on your product(s) labels? If they are not listed, why not?

The law makers are expecting a response from the 14 companies. Until then, we will continue to research and bring you the latest news on the situation. 

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, March 2013 (online 1/24/12)