The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating reports of five deaths and a non-fatal heart attack linked to highly caffeinated Monster Energy Drinks. The agency acknowledged the adverse reports, but FDA spokeswoman Shelly Burgess says they don't prove that the drinks caused the deaths. Monster Energy is among scores of energy drinks like Red Bull and Rock Star, and energy “shots” like 5-hour Energy, that companies are aggressively marketing to teenagers and young people.

The news follows last week's filing in California of a wrongful death suit by the parents of a 14-year-old girl who died after drinking two, 24-ounce Monster Beverage Corp. drinks in 24 hours. An autopsy concluded she died of cardiac arrhythmia due to caffeine toxicity. Monster says it doesn't believe its products caused any deaths.


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Poll: Do you -- or would you -- allow your kids to drink energy drinks?
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