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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 24, 2012)
Pasc6 __________________________________ ^1?e ^ a r t í a n h (©hsetuer October 2 4 , 2012 Monster Kills FDA reports five deaths linked to highly-caffeinated energy drink HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — The highly caffeinated Monster Energy Drink has been cited in five deaths and one non-fatal heart at tack, according to reports that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating. The reports claim that people had adverse reactions after they con sumed Monster Energy Drink, which comes in 24-ounce cans and con tains 240 milligrams of caffeine, or seven times the amount of the caf feine in a 12-ounce cola. Although the FDA is investigat ing the allegations, which date back to 2004, the agency said the reports don't necessarily prove that the drinks caused the deaths or injuries. "As with any reports of a death or injury the agency receives, we take them very seriously and inves tigate diligently," Shelly Burgess said in a statement. News of the FDA's investigation follows a filing last week of a wrong ful death suit in Riverside, Calif., by the p a re n ts o f a 1 4 -y ear-o ld Hagerstown girl who died after drink ing two, 24-ounce Monster Energy Drinks in 24 hours. An autopsy concluded that she died of cardiac arrhythmia due to caffeine toxicity and the medical examiner also found that she had an inherited disorder that can weaken blood vessels. But the child's par ents claim Monster failed to warn about the risks of drinking its prod ucts. M o n s te r B e v e ra g e C o rp ., which touts on its web site that the M onster Energy D rink is a "killer energy brew " and "the m eanest energy supplem ent on the planet," puts labels on cans that state that the drinks are not recom m ended for children and people who are sensitive to caf feine. The com pany, based in Corona, Calif., did not immediately respond to calls seeking com m ent Chiropractic Auto Injury Clinic, PC Zchon R. Jones, DC 333 NE Russell St., #200, Portland, OR. 97212 (503) 284-7838 ■■■■■ New Leader to Promote Breastfeeding in Oregon Truly making a difference in the lives of Auto Accident victims and Injured Workers for nearly 20 years. If you or someone you know has been in an accident, call us so we can help you with your needs. (503) 284-7838 Dr. M arion Rice has been ap p o in te d new D ire c to r o f the B reastfeeding C oalition o f O r egon and Program M anager of M aternal and Child Health at O r egon Public Health Institute. A nationally known educator. Dr. Rice has worked with Nursing M others Counsel o f Oregon to provide m ajor Oregon em ployers like Trim et, OHSU and the Port land Police Bureau with services to im prove lactation support for women returning to the workplace. Taking the place o f former BCO Director Amelia Psmythe, Dr. Rice will work on behalf o f both the Dr. Marion Rice B reastfeeding C oalition o f O r egon and the Oregon Public Health Both organizations have played Institute to support, protect and le a d in g ro le s in p ro m o tin g prom ote breastfeeding in Oregon. breastfeeding as a crucial health practice for infants and m others, and have supported and helped to im p le m e n t O r e g o n ’s groundbreaking W orkplace Lac tation Law. “OPHI is fortunate to have M arion join our team with her sig- n if ic a n t b a c k g ro u n d in breastfeeding policy, advocacy and grassroots education and or g a n iz in g ,” sa id M a ry L ou Hennrich, executive director of Oregon Public Health Institute. “She, along with the statewide volunteer leaders o f the BCO, will continue m oving all regions of O regon forw ard as a national leader supporting the Surgeon hope, access, potentiel G eneral’s National Breastfeeding Call to A ction.” We are located on the corner o f MLK and Russell Street, on the second floor above the coffee shop. Parkins .Àrea Russell St. S ^HAt) Get Help Paying Your Rent Rent assistance is available for eligible low-income individuals and families. We are accepting online applications for our Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list from November 1 through November 10, 2012. The waiting list for this popular program only opens every few ¿ni homeforward years, so don’t miss this opportunity. Visit www.homeforward.org to learn more about the waiting list opening and our simple, quick online application process. ' ■ ■ , I . , ,-y ...... , , ,l, „„ , , I, I , l I, I I,II,Il I . 4 ............... .............................. ................... . , . , M n . ‘ ‘ ................................... on M onday, but said last week that it is "unaware o f any fatality anyw here that has been caused by its drinks." At a time when soda consum p tion is declining, energy drinks are becom ing more popular: Last year, sales volum e for energy drinks rose by nearly 17 percent. M onster has benefited the most from the rise in popularity. Last year, M onster had a 35 percent share o f the energy-drink m arket based on volum e, while Red Bull had 30 percent and R ockstar had 19 percent, according to B ever age Digest. The increase in popularity has brought heightened scrutiny. The levels of caffeine in the drinks have raised worries: Although the FDA caps the amount of caffeine in soda to 0.02 percent, there is no such limit for energy drinks. Matthew Perrone reported from W ashington. . I , . • ’ . 11 » iid d -ia s r?
