Monster Energy Drink Brand Illegally Marketing to Children? Prosecutors Think So

Monster Beverage Corp., maker of Monster energy drinks, might have a monster problem on its hands as the San Francisco city attorney and New York state attorney are investigating whether or not the company markets its drinks to kids.

Last month, Monster's case against San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera, which hoped to stop Herrera's investigation of the company, was thrown out of federal court. Right before the ruling, Herrera joined forces with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to investigate the caffeinated beverage company.

According to Herrera's lawsuit, the California-based company violated state law because it misbranded the drink and marketed it to minors. Schneiderman issued subpoenas to investigate the company as well.

"Despite the known dangers highly-caffeinated products pose to young people's health and safety, Monster deliberately targets children with its marketing," Herrera said in a statement. "... It's my hope that Monster Energy will reform its marketing practices before regulators or courts force them to."

Herrera cites Monster social media campaigns that feature kids, promotion at school functions and "Monster Energy Drink Player of the Game," a promotion that features high school athletes pictured with the energy drinks, as examples of children-targeted marketing.

"We are disappointed that Monster has remained defiant in marketing products to children," Herrera said. "We hope this effort will cause the company to correct its irresponsible marketing practices."

Tammy Taylor, a Monster Beverage Corp. spokeswoman, told Associated Press that the drinks are neither targeted towards kids, nor do they have a lot of caffeine.

According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a 16-ounce can of Monster contains 160 milligrams of caffeine, almost half of the 330 milligrams found in a Starbucks cup of coffee of the same size.

If Herrera and Schneiderman get their wish, Monster could be ordered to pay civil penalties and end their marketing promotions, LA Times reports.