Monster Energy recently brought a lawsuit against VPX sports over false claims that Bang Energy drinks are effective at building lean body mass and improving brain function. According to the Monster Energy lawsuit, the bottled ultra-energy supplement is not effective as claimed because consumers do not metabolize it properly. When consumers digest the powder, it passes through their systems too quickly, causing a glut of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in their systems. This glutamate, as well as other chemicals produced during the process of conversion, are potentially harmful to human health. In addition, most Americans do not know that the majority of athletes use artificial sweeteners such as saccharin and aspartame to sweeten their drinks.
The complaint further claims that VSP bottles and cans also contain ingredients such as dioxane, which is a carcinogen. Although the dioxin content is not the highest found in drinking water, it is still considered extremely hazardous. Not only does it contribute to cancer, it has also been linked to rectal cancer, breast cancer, and various forms of cancer of the reproductive organs. Although the ingredient list on the bottle does not contain the dioxane listed above, it is still very dangerous and should be avoided.
Monster Energy’s main beef with VSP is that despite advertising claims to contain natural creatine, the beverage contains neither. Rather, the company bases its claims on an ingredient called UTI Booster. Monster Energy states that the ingredient is necessary because monosodium glutamate cannot effectively be absorbed when it is broken down. According to VSP’s attorneys, the beverages were never meant to have the ingredient of creatine, and this ingredient was added by the manufacturer in order to boost the product’s popularity. Since neither the drinks nor the ingredients are dangerous, this lawsuit is likely pointless and will be nothing new.
Monster Energy did file a complaint in January against The Hershey Company for using the term “ortion” in their labeling. This term refers to an anesthetic used during surgery, but according to Hershey’s lawyers, the term was used to describe the taste of their beverages. They argue that they are entitled to recover damages because they believed that their drinks were safe and advertised themselves as having that effect. While the complaint may seem frivolous, it is actually important because it may open up other legal issues for Monster Energy and their other competitors.
The Energy Drink lawsuit is not the only pending against Monster Energy. In June, they were also hit with a lawsuit from an individual who suffers from Cerebral Palsy. The suit was filed by the parents of a child who was diagnosed with the condition and used the energy drink to calm down their son when he wakes up in the middle of the night. Monster Energy’s main competitor, Oxycotin, also faces a lawsuit in California by an individual who suffers from the same condition. Both companies are appealing their lawsuits.
The Hershey Company is not the only company being sued in this case. Monster Energy has also settled with a beverage manufacturer over a case regarding their recall of certain Powerade drinks due to contamination, which turned out to be the company’s own fault. The United States Food and Drug Administration had not yet determined whether or not these drinks posed any danger to consumers when consumed. The companies are scheduled to appear in court on July 8th to answer to the accusations.