Logan Paul and KSI Promote Prime
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has declared war against the popular energy drink Prime. The New York Senator feels the drink is nothing more than a high dose of sugar and caffeine. He is worried that the popular brand is harmful to kids and sent a letter to the FDA calling for Prime to be investigated.
First released in 2022, Prime Hydration, known as PRIME, is backed and heavily promoted by YouTubers and internet personalities Logan Paul and KSI. Combined they have more than 40 million followers on YouTube and millions more on other social media platforms. So, the social media/influencer phenomenon has come full circle.
First, people got to be famous for nothing by posting all sorts of provocative images on social media or by just being loudmouths on a YouTube channel. Then, they made millions from all of the targeted advertising and this was followed by direct payments from firms to wear their products in posts or to just talk about them. But now, “influencers” are making even more money by starting their own brands and then shamelessly promoting them on their social media accounts.
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What’s next? Kim Kardashian Beer?
But why Prime? What about all of the other high-caffeine energy drinks out there? Well, Chuck Schumer’s concern here is based on the company’s flashy marketing campaign he feels is directed toward children.
“One of the summer’s hottest status symbols for kids is not an outfit, or a toy — it’s a beverage,” said Senator Chuck Schumer at a press conference. “But buyer and parents beware because it’s a serious health concern for the kids it so feverishly targets.”
Schumer went on to speak about his concern for how Prime might harm the health of kids adding, “This stuff called Prime … at just 12 ounces Prime has an eye-popping level of caffeine and that’s giving parents and doctors the jitters for the kids that are targets. Here’s the other problem, most parents haven’t even heard of this stuff that their kids are begging for.”
“Prime is born from the reels of social media and the enigmatic world of influencers,” Senator Chuck Schumer said. “Kids see it on their phones as they scroll and then they actually have a need for it.”
In a letter to the FDA he wrote, “A simple search on social media for Prime will generate an eye-popping amount of sponsored content, which is advertising. This content and the claims made should be investigated, along with the ingredients and the caffeine content in the Prime energy drink.”
“Many physicians have serious concern for Prime, and I write to specifically urge your agency to investigate Prime for its claims, marketing and caffeine content,” added Chuck Schumer.
Dr. Edith R. Bracho-Sanchez also appeared at the press conference and spoke about what she feels are Prime’s ill affects saying, “What this drink is giving you is a caffeine rush, it is a high, followed by a crash.”
“As a brand, our top priority is consumer safety, so we welcome discussions with the FDA or any other organization regarding suggested industry changes they feel are necessary in order to protect consumers,” Prime spokesperson Alyx Sealy, said in a statement released in response that did not address the issue at hand.
But this is not likely to Placate Senator Chuck Schumer.
