WARNING: IT’S PRIME TIME FOR ENERGY DRINKS

A new energy drink has taken the market for such beverages by storm and have achieved a cult like status thanks in no small part to the fame of the beverage’s creators, YouTube stars Logan Paul and KSI, who together have over 40 million subscribers. The drink is branded Prime Energy and is a highly caffeinated beverage in brightly colored cans with flavors such as Ice Pop and Tropical Punch.


Now, some politicians and experts are raising serious concerns about whether or not the drink is safe for young people. No less a figure than Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) has said that Prime's website lacks warnings and other information to help parents understand the "eye-popping" caffeine content in its drinks. Schumer wants the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate the company, which he claims is "feverishly" targeting children. I checked the website, and the Senator is absolutely right. There are NO warnings or any other safety information about the high amount of caffeine in the drink (200 mg/12 oz.can) or any admonitions about restricting its use among children. This is a direct quote from the front page of their website:

"PRIME was developed to fill the void where great taste meets function. With bold, thirst-quenching flavors to help you refresh, replenish, and refuel, PRIME is the perfect boost for any endeavor. We're confident you'll love it as much as we do."


The rest of their website is filled with pictures and descriptions of their many flavored products, all colorfully illustrated, which Schumer believes is a deliberate ploy to attract children. In fairness to Prime, the back of each can contains the following safety message: "Drink responsibly. Not recommended for children under 18 years of age, people sensitive to caffeine, pregnant women and women who are nursing." Schumer, however, doesn't believe this is an adequate warning because it fails to outright ban the product for anyone under 18.

The question for all of us should be: Is Prime safe for both children and adults? First of all, 200 milligrams of caffeine in a 12-ounce can is about 6 times the amount of caffeine in a comparable can of Coca-Cola. In addition to its high levels of caffeine, Prime also contains ingredients commonly found in other energy drinks (e.g., taurine, inositol, l-theanine and glucuronolactone). The company also makes a non-caffeinated beverage which Schumer believes parents could get mixed up with the caffeinated beverage because they both use similar brightly colored cans. As the following images indicate, I believe Schumer has a point. It might be challenging both for parents and children to tell the two beverages apart.

Canadian health authorities have also voiced concern that cans of Prime sold there may be exceeding regulations on limits for caffeine. How does Prime compare to other caffeinated beverages? Most energy drinks have less caffeine than Prime. Starbucks Cold Brew (11 oz.) has 155 mg, Monster Energy (12 oz.) has 123 mg, Red Bull (12 oz.) has 108 mg, Diet Coke (12 oz.) has 46.8 mg, Snapple Iced Peach Tea (16 oz.) has 37 mg. 

Is 200 mg a lot of caffeine? It depends on who you are and what your underlying health conditions may be. 200 mg of caffeine is roughly equivalent to drinking 2 cups of coffee a day, not unusual for most adults. Caffeine is a stimulant that is found naturally in plants and can affect our central nervous system that can boost our alertness and enhance our ability to concentrate.  However, pediatricians recommend that children under 12 avoid caffeine completely and kids 12 and older consume NO MORE THAN 100 mg/day. Many physicians recommend that adults should have no more than 400 mg/day, which is about 4-5 cups of coffee. According to the FDA, which doesn't require beverage companies to list the amount of caffeine on their products, rapid consumption of around 1200 mg of caffeine can lead to "toxic effects," such as seizures. Some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others. It depends on the speed your body metabolizes the stimulant and whether you have a high tolerance level for caffeine after drinking coffee, etc. for years. Most doctors would advise people with high blood pressure or some other preexisting conditions to consider limiting their amount of caffeine. Too much caffeine can cause anxiety, agitation, sleeplessness, gastrointestinal problems and even cardiovascular symptoms.

The problem with energy drinks is that they are more likely to be consumed at a faster rate than either coffee or tea because they are chilled beverages and not served steaming hot. The CDC believes that the stimulants in energy drinks can cause dehydration, anxiety, insomnia and heart complications, including skipping beats, symptoms more likely to be felt by children or teenagers consuming the same amount of caffeine as an adult. If you take a high dose of caffeine to stay more awake, to stimulate your brain, such as done by students relying on energy drinks to help them stay awake to finish homework or write a paper, it will also affect your heart rate, blood pressure and your stomach's gastric secretions.

As the Warnings Doctor, my advice is for adults to limit their caffeine intake to no more than what is found in about 4 cups of coffee/day and for adults with high blood pressure or other pre-existing conditions, to consult their doctors before consuming any caffeine. It's always good advice for children under 12 to avoid any stimulants, including caffeine, and for those children 12-18, limit caffeine intake to no more than 100 mg/day, about the same amount as in 1 cup of coffee/day. As for Prime Energy, absolutely avoid this drink if you are under 18.


Check out my latest podcast "EXPOSED! An Exclusive Look Behind the Curtain of Corporate Greed"

Check out my book "Murder, Inc.: How Unregulated Industry Kills or Injures Thousands of Americans Every Year...And What You Can Do About It". Available in Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle & Audiobook on Amazon now.

WARNING: USING AI FOR MEDICAL DIAGNOSES MAY BE HARMFUL TO YOUR HEALTH

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • April 30, 2026
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the landscape of healthcare, particularly in the realm of medical diagnosis. From analyzing medical images to predicting disease risk, AI-driven tools are increasingly being integrated into clinical workflows. While the potential benefits are substantial—improved accuracy, faster diagnoses, and expanded access to care—there are also meaningful risks that warrant careful scrutiny. Understanding both sides is essential for clinicians, policymakers, and patients alike.

LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES: A GROWING FIRE RISK IN OUR HOMES

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • March 31, 2026
Lithium-ion batteries power much of modern life. From smartphones and laptops to e-bikes, power tools, and even home energy storage systems, these compact and efficient batteries are everywhere. But as their use has expanded, so too has a serious and often underestimated danger: the risk of fire. Lithium-ion battery fires are not like typical household fires. They burn hotter, spread faster, and can reignite even after appearing to be extinguished. These fires are caused by a process known as “thermal runaway,” where damage, overheating, or internal defects trigger a chain reaction inside the battery. Once this process begins, it can release flammable gases, cause explosions, and produce intense flames that are difficult to control.

WARNING: THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S EPA IS DISMANTLING REGULATIONS PROTECTING US FROM PFAS, PUTTING OUR LIVES AT RISK

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • February 27, 2026
1. Weakening National Drinking Water Standards  In April 2024, the EPA finalized the first federally enforceable National Primary Drinking Water Rule (NPDWR) for six PFAS, including PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX), PFBS, and mixtures of these chemicals. These rules established maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) and required monitoring and treatment timelines for public water systems. Under Trump's EPA, this landmark public health rule is being undone :

THE SILENT WINTER THREAT: CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING DURING STORMS AND POWER OUTAGES

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • January 27, 2026
Winter in the Northern Hemisphere brings cold weather, snow, and often severe storms. These conditions can lead to power outages that last hours or even days. When electricity is lost and temperatures plummet, many households turn to alternative heating methods or portable power generators. While these actions are understandable, they can expose families to a perilous and often invisible threat: carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning . 

HOLIDAY FOOD SAFETY: PROTECTING YOUR FAMILY FROM SALMONELLA & LISTERIA THIS THANKSGIVING

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • November 24, 2025
As Thanksgiving approaches, kitchens across the country are about to come alive with the sounds and smells of holiday cooking. While this season brings family, gratitude, and plenty of delicious food, it also comes with a serious and often overlooked risk: foodborne illness. In the U.S., Salmonella and Listeria remain two of the most dangerous and persistent causes of food poisoning—especially during the holidays, when increased food preparation, crowded refrigerators, and large holiday meals create ideal conditions for bacterial growth.Whether you’re hosting your first Thanksgiving dinner or you’re a seasoned holiday chef, brushing up on a few key food safety practices can help you keep your loved ones healthy and your celebration memorable for all the right reasons.

ARE WAYMOS SAFER THAN HUMANS DRIVING A CAR?

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • October 30, 2025
The race to develop autonomous vehicles (AVs) has reached a pivotal moment. Alphabet-owned Waymo, widely regarded as the frontrunner in the field, has rolled out fully driverless taxis in Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, with plans to expand to additional cities. But as more Waymo vehicles hit public roads without human drivers, the question looms large: Are they truly safer than the people they’re replacing behind the wheel?

TACKLING SAFETY: FOOTBALL, CTE, AND WHAT ACTUALLY MAKES THE GAME SAFER

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • October 13, 2025
We are now in the middle of another football season, and the question, as asked every year: Is this sport safe enough for our high school, college, and professional athletes to play? Football has always been a violent sport of collision, glory, and growing concern. Over the last decade, research tying repetitive head impacts to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has shaken parents, players, and the game’s governing bodies. The central realities are straightforward but sobering: repeated head impacts — both diagnosed concussions and the many “sub-concussive” blows players take — are linked to later-life brain pathology; helmets and add-ons can lower impact forces, but no helmet or cover has been shown to prevent CTE; and rule and culture changes that reduce the number and severity of head impacts are where the biggest gains lie.

CHAOS AT THE CDC: A THREAT TO AMERICA’S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • September 10, 2025
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has long been viewed as the nation’s front-line defense against disease outbreaks, health emergencies, and public health threats. But today, the agency faces internal turmoil, political interference, and organizational confusion that experts warn could have dangerous consequences for the U.S. healthcare system—and for ordinary Americans.

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY FLOODS: DID WARNINGS FAIL VICTIMS?

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • August 7, 2025
From July 3–4, 2025, Central Texas—especially Kerr County and the Guadalupe River basin—experienced catastrophic flash flooding that claimed over 130 lives, including children and staff at Camp Mystic. As grief and outrage settle, survivors and officials alike are questioning whether enough was done to warn those most at risk.

TEXAS LEADS THE NATION: WARNING LABELS ON ADDITIVES

By Dr. Gerald Goldhaber • July 9, 2025
On June 22, 2025, Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 25 (SB25), known as the Make Texas Healthy Again Act. Beginning January 1, 2027, Texas will require prominent on-pack warning labels whenever food sold in the state contains any of 44 specific additives—including synthetic colorants like Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, titanium dioxide, bleached flour, and partially hydrogenated oils. The mandated label must declare the following:
Show More