By — Anna Christiansen Anna Christiansen Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/three-states-join-lawsuit-5-hour-energy-drink-maker Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Three states join lawsuit against 5-Hour Energy drink maker Health Jul 18, 2014 5:54 PM EDT Three states have joined a lawsuit against makers of the popular 5-Hour energy drink, accusing the company of misleading advertising. Oregon, Washington and Vermont filed suits Thursday against Living Essentials LLC and Innovation Ventures LLC, makers of the highly popular energy booster. Attorneys for the states want a permanent injunction against the parent companies’ misleading marketing and are seeking civil penalties. The states join 33 others investigating the product’s advertising claims. According to the suit, 5-hour Energy leads consumers to believe the energy drink’s potency is the result of a unique blend of ingredients. Instead, the suit contends, the drink is effective thanks to a concentrated dose of caffeine. Additionally, the makers of 5-hour Energy claim their product does not lead to an energy crash. According to Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, the corporation violates the Trade Practices act. She states, “Plainly and simply, in Oregon you cannot promote a product as being effective if you don’t have sufficient evidence to back up your advertising claims.” 5-Hour Energy spokeswoman Melissa Skabich called the suit bullying, and said the company will not “roll over, pay the ransom, and move on.” Currently, 9 million bottles of 5-Hour Energy are sold weekly at about $2.00 each. By — Anna Christiansen Anna Christiansen @am_christiansen
Three states have joined a lawsuit against makers of the popular 5-Hour energy drink, accusing the company of misleading advertising. Oregon, Washington and Vermont filed suits Thursday against Living Essentials LLC and Innovation Ventures LLC, makers of the highly popular energy booster. Attorneys for the states want a permanent injunction against the parent companies’ misleading marketing and are seeking civil penalties. The states join 33 others investigating the product’s advertising claims. According to the suit, 5-hour Energy leads consumers to believe the energy drink’s potency is the result of a unique blend of ingredients. Instead, the suit contends, the drink is effective thanks to a concentrated dose of caffeine. Additionally, the makers of 5-hour Energy claim their product does not lead to an energy crash. According to Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, the corporation violates the Trade Practices act. She states, “Plainly and simply, in Oregon you cannot promote a product as being effective if you don’t have sufficient evidence to back up your advertising claims.” 5-Hour Energy spokeswoman Melissa Skabich called the suit bullying, and said the company will not “roll over, pay the ransom, and move on.” Currently, 9 million bottles of 5-Hour Energy are sold weekly at about $2.00 each.