The healthcare industry could be witness to one of the most unusual matchups: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, (D-N.Y.), and the Food and Drug Administration versus influencer Logan Paul. 

Over the weekend, Schumer sent a letter to the FDA calling on the agency to investigate Prime Energy, Paul’s drink brand, due to potentially dangerous levels of caffeine.

“Prime Energy Drink has so much caffeine that it could endanger kids’ health. But it’s being marketed to kids! Parents and pediatricians are worried,” Schumer said in a social media post on Sunday evening.

He pressed the FDA to look into the energy drink’s “absurd caffeine content” as well as its marketing targeting kids on social media.

Schumer’s call for an FDA investigation marks a public challenge to a popular energy drink brand backed by Paul and fellow YouTuber KSI, who have nearly 50 million subscribers combined across their primary YouTube channels.

Neither influencer has publicly commented on the call for an investigation and a Prime representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Associated Press.

Launched in January 2022, Prime Energy is available in six different flavors, with a 12-pack retailing for $30 on GNC’s website. 

According to the drink’s nutritional facts, a can of Prime Energy has zero sugar and 300 milligrams of electrolytes but also has 200 milligrams of caffeine, which is the equivalent of one to two 8-ounce cups of brewed black coffee.

While the Mayo Clinic says that, on average, 400 milligrams of caffeine per day is safe for adults, the drug affects people differently.

Prime Energy also comes with a warning label that urges users to drink responsibly and indicates it is “not recommended for children under 18 years of age.” 

Since its debut last year, the drink brand has been a runaway success, with Paul claiming that Prime has generated worldwide sales north of $250 million, including $45 million in January 2023.

As part of the advertising effort supporting Prime, both Paul and KSI shaved their heads in a video that racked up more than 6 million views last year.

The viral popularity of the drink led to shortages across the U.K., supermarkets imposing buying restrictions and people reselling the drinks for a higher price on the secondary market, according to The Conversation. Additionally, some schools in the U.K. and Australia have banned the drinks due to concerns voiced by pediatricians about health impacts on young people and kids.

Still, the brand has accrued a massive online fanbase, with 1.7 million followers on Instagram, as well as key partnerships with the UFC, Los Angeles Dodgers, Arsenal and FC Barcelona. In addition to a promotional appearance at Wrestlemania 39, the two also starred in a 30-second ad supporting Prime Hydration during Super Bowl LVII.

Of note, several posts on the company’s Instagram account, including the pinned post, mention explicitly that Prime Energy is “for ages 18+.”

Yet Schumer, doctors and public health officials have all sounded the alarm over Prime Energy in recent months due to its high caffeine levels and inclusion of artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium.

Canadian doctors Dr. Paul Zalzal and Dr. Brad Weening, known as “TalkingWithDocs” on TikTok, posted a video in mid-February calling out some of the ingredients in Prime Energy, noting that they wouldn’t encourage consuming energy drinks and recommended drinking water instead. 

@talkingwithdocs

Prime Energy Drink Bad For You? 👀 *Not a sponsored post* An energy drink is a beverage that contains stimulant compounds, primarily caffeine, and is marketed as providing a boost to both mental and physical energy. This is distinct from food energy, which provides fuel for the body. Energy drinks may or may not be carbonated and can contain sugar, alternative sweeteners, herbal extracts, taurine, and amino acids. They are part of a larger group of energy products, including bars and gels, but should not be confused with sports drinks, which are designed to improve athletic performance. The energy drink category encompasses a wide range of brands and varieties. Medical emergency Do NOT use the Video for medical emergencies. If you have a medical emergency, call a physician or qualified healthcare provider, or CALL 911 immediately. Under no circumstances should you attempt self-treatment based on anything you have seen or read on the Video. General information is not medical advice The general information provided on the Video is for informational purposes only and is not professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or care, nor is it intended to be a substitute therefore. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider properly licensed to practise medicine or general healthcare in your jurisdiction concerning any questions you may have regarding any information obtained from this Video and any medical condition you believe may be relevant to you or to someone else. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of so #primehydration #ksi #prime #loganpaul #hydration #vitaminshoppe #wellness #nutrition #motivation #selfcare #health #hydrationdrink #electrolytes #electrolytedrink #explore #electrolyte #bestsupplements #fitness #primedrinks #drinkprime #juicewrld #kriticalnutrition #beverage #thirstquencher #supplements #polkcountyreppin #loganpual #franchisegnc #thevitaminshoppe #leegit

♬ original sound – Talkingwithdocs

Others who have taken issue with the brand and its popularity among young people have sought to create replacements for the drink.

Food blogger Fatimah Omran said in a video from earlier this year that her daughter wanted a Prime drink but she declined, instead making her own version using oranges, water, coconut water, vitamins and a blender.

@fatimahomran

My daughter wanted @drinkprime I said no…. kksiyyoutubepprimeddrinkprimepprimeenergylloganpauljakepaul #fyp #isaidno

♬ original sound – Fatimah Omran

Some may recall that this isn’t the first time Paul has aroused controversy and public ire online.

In late 2017, Paul posted a vlog of himself and others touring Japan’s infamous “Suicide Forest,” where he found a corpse of a suicide victim. 

The video generated universal backlash to the YouTuber and prompted calls for him to be removed from the Google platform. 

Despite several apologies, YouTube cut some business ties with Paul in January 2018 before then-CEO Susan Wojcicki announced a month later that he hadn’t violated its “three strikes” policy.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else. To speak with a trained listener, call 988. Visit 988lifeline.org for crisis chat services or for more information.

For a January 2024 article on Schumer’s calling on the FDA, FTC to crack down on Zyn sparks ‘Zynsurrection,’ click here.