Energy drinks manufactured by Monster Beverage Company have been linked to five deaths in the past year, according to reports submitted to the Food and Drug Administration.
The FDA is investigating the reports but has made clear that it is drawing no conclusions until it has completed its investigation.
Congress is also weighing in. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) has asked the agency to consider placing a limit on the amount of caffeine in energy drinks after the products have been linked to an increase in emergency room visits between 2005 and 2009.
Separately, testing conducted by Consumer Reports has concluded that caffeine levels in energy drinks are often mislabeled. Of 16 products that specified caffeine levels, five were 20 percent above the labeled amount. These included Arizona Energy, Clif Shot Turbo Energy Gel, Nestlé Jamba, Sambazon Organic Amazon Energy, and Venom Energy. One of three samples of Archer Farms Energy Drink Juice Infused had caffeine levels about 70 percent below what was on the label.
Several lawsuits have come out of deaths linked to Monster's beverages including one from the parent of a 14-year-old girl, Anais Fournier, who died after consuming two drinks. A 24-ounce can of Monster Energy Drink has the caffeine equivalent of seven cups of coffee, according to an article on Forbes.com.
Monster defended its energy drinks as safe and plans to fight any suits brought against it. The company issued a statement to Bloomberg News.
"Over the past 16 years Monster has sold more than 8 billion energy drinks, which have been safely consumed worldwide. Monster does not believe that its beverages are in any way responsible for the death of Ms. Fournier. Monster is unaware of any fatality anywhere that has been caused by its drinks."