Logan Paul Challenges Schumer's Scrutiny Of PRIME's Caffeine Content: 'Why Aren't We Controlling This At The Point Of Purchase?'

Logan Paul, the YouTube influencer turned WWE Superstar and co-founder of PRIME, came forward on Thursday in defense of the drink amid mounting criticism and possible government intervention.

What Happened: PRIME drinks shot to fame among teens immediately upon the brand’s release, and quickly found itself becoming a focal point in Washington, with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) raising an alarm over its caffeine content.

PRIME Energy, one of the two drinks offered by the brand, contains 200 mg of caffeine per 12-ounce serving.

Schumer’s concern is not just about the caffeine content, but also about PRIME’s marketing strategy, which appears to specifically target those under 18, a demographic potentially more susceptible to caffeine’s ill effects.

The beverage has faced backlash from both lawmakers and physicians, who believe the high levels of caffeine in the drink could be harmful to its younger consumers.

Also Read: Musk’s Ex Grimes Envisions AI Companions For Her Kids: ‘As Opposed To Watching A Screen’

In defense of the drink, Paul compared PRIME’s caffeine content to other market competitors, highlighting that PRIME Energy’s 200 mg of caffeine is on par with drinks like Gatorade’s Fast Switch and Celsius Holdings, Inc CELH, and even has 100 mg less caffeine than Bang Energy.

“What we’re doing is comparable to every other competitor in the market,” Paul said in a Fox Business interview. "We’ve done as best a job as we can at differentiating our products.”

The influencer drew a comparison with how alcohol is deemed unsafe for individuals under 21 in the U.S., making the case that if caffeine’s potential dangers are of genuine concern, the onus would fall on retailers to verify the age of purchasers, similar to how alcohol is sold.

“If we think caffeine is as unsafe as people are saying… then why aren’t we controlling this at the point of purchase?” Paul asked, indirectly challenging Schumer’s concerns.

Last month, a PRIME representative told Benzinga, "PRIME Energy, sold in a can, dropped in 2023 and contains a comparable amount of caffeine to other top-selling energy drinks, all falling within the legal limit of the countries it's sold in. It complied with all FDA guidelines before hitting the market.”

The scrutiny around PRIME comes at a time when the energy drink industry is booming, with sales surging from $12 billion to $19 billion in the last five years, The New York Times reported.

Major beverage companies, including PepsiCo, Inc PEP and Gatorade, are also vying for a share of the market, introducing their caffeinated beverages.

The FDA said it was reviewing the letter from Schumer about PRIME and noted it would respond directly to the senator. However, the scrutiny has ignited a broader debate about the caffeine content in beverages and how they are marketed to younger consumers.

Read Next: The Apes Just Resurrected WeWork Stock: ‘It Will Go To The Moon’

Photo: Shutterstock