Posted on 08/09/2013 6:38:11 AM PDT by CSM
Senate Democrats brought energy drink industry representatives before Congress, with Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., comparing them to the heads of tobacco companies and faulting them for marketing beverages to children in a special appearance as witness at the hearing.
“We were all veterans of the tobacco wars,” Durbin said during a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on energy drinks, in reference to colleagues who want to crack down on the industry. “We’re getting the same run around from these energy drink companies. They are openly, openly advertising to kids and denying it.”
“As the sale of energy drinks has grown, so has the alarming evidence that they pose potential health risks,” Durbin also said, noting that emergency room visits related to energy drinks jumped from 10,000 to 20,000 between 2007 and 2011. “Younger and younger people in America are exposed to higher and higher level of stimulants.”
Durbin is the second-ranked Democrat in the Senate, but the hearing was led at first by Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., and then Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who took over the gavel after Rockefeller’s opening statement.
“A number of companies are using marketing techniques highly appealing to teens, deliberately appealing to teens,” Rockefeller said. “The question I want to get at in this hearing is whether this is responsible corporate behavior.” Durbin and Blumenthal made clear they regard it as irresponsible, with Blumenthal suggesting Congress might increase regulations on the industry if the companies don’t voluntarily change their marketing practices. Executives representing Red Bull North America, Rockstar, Inc., and Monster Beverage appeared at the hearing. “Voluntary compliance . . . would be a good step, and if further action is necessary we would consider it,” Blumenthal said. The American Beverage Association, which represents non-alcoholic beverage companies, responded to the hearing preemptively. “[W]hen you watch the news today – and every day hereafter – and you find yourself reading an energy drink story, remember: energy drinks have been enjoyed safely by millions of people around the world for more than 25 years, and in the United States for more than 15 years,” the ABA’s Sip and Savor blog notes.
Nope, didn’t see this one coming.
What is their take on the $17T debt? Or the NSA scandal? OR the IRS scandal? Or the Benghazi scandal?
Simple coffee will be attacked in another 4 years. Just wait.
:: The question I want to get at in this hearing is whether this is responsible corporate behavior. ::
The answer to which MUST be reserved for the market place.
We were pinned down in the trenches for the 122nd consecutive day. The only break in the tedium of constant covering fire was when we went over the top into No Man's Land to cross the barbed wire leading to Phillip Morris's trenchline....
Don’t forget. The tabacco wars paid off big time. Meant a lot of extra cash for cities and states.
These days, the ads that appeal most to a 25 year old single male also appeal to 15 year old males.
Unless they are advertising in Highlights or Ranger Rick, I see no problem.
Is it illegal to market products to kids? Does Hasbro know about this law?
—and thus removed the tobacco lobbying money from the Republidums and put it in the pockets of the Demotraitors-—
I gotta have my low-carb monster. I get three a day over at Aldi’s (knock off made by Monster).
If these sons-a-bitches take this away, ahh better bail on making a threat for NSA spooks.
Nah...they blew it all on the upkeep for all the fancy equipment they got with federal money from Homeland Security. Back to the topic...I had to stop drinking coffee in the mornings because it was playing havoc with my innards. I've found that 5 Hour works well for me. Soon I expect my a$$wipe Sen. Rocksferbrains to start an EXTRA TAX on energy drinks to "keep them away from kids"...just as was done with tobacco.
What’s the name? I see those but didn’t really pay much attention had no idea monster made them.
They actually PUT CARBON DIOXIDE into their drinks
WHEN WILL THE INSANITY END! THINK OF THE CHILDREN!
Big Cola companies are libtards- lets see them raked over the coals “for the children” and to “save the environment”
It is my firm believe that if they were Republican donors this would already be happening. Just like Tobacco companies.
Tobacco companies used to be HUGE Republican donors- if they were Democrap donors I bet we would hear nothing but praise about the “Healthful benefits of bathing our lungs in cleansing smoke”
That’s the only kind of “veterans” most of these sleazy nanny-staters are. Their “war” is on consumer choice, and their tactic is regulating companies to death unless said companies pay off the Democrat party.
Gridlock. There are knock-off Red-Bulls as well. My son is more of a RockStar guy, they don’t have any knock-offs. I found a link somewhere once that Gridlock was really produced and re-labeled by Monster specifically for Aldi’s. Can’t beat the .99.
I chuckle every time I see a person holding a gigantic can of “energy” drink. What a load of wasted money. But then, it’s their choice right? Of course a democrat or leftist wouldn’t know that, unless it comes to babies, then they are all about choice.
Aldi’s has the BEST energy shots, too. Ever tried them? I forget the name but they come in a blue, grey, and white bottle. Only ones I’ve ever tried that don’t taste like cough medicine!
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