Prime Hydration Sued Over ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Grape-Flavored Drink
A class-action lawsuit has been filed against Prime Hydration LLC, a sports drink company founded by Logan Paul and KSI, alleging that its grape-flavored drink contains toxic “forever chemicals” at levels three times the recommended daily limit.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, claims that Prime fraudulently marketed its drinks as healthy despite knowing about the presence of these chemicals, known as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
According to legal documents, testing revealed that Prime’s grape-flavored drink contained extremely high levels of PFAS, which are linked to a range of health problems including cancer, changes in hormone levels, decreased fertility, liver and thyroid dysfunction, and a reduced immune system.
The lawsuit alleges that Prime failed to disclose the presence of these chemicals in its marketing materials, misleading consumers into believing that the drinks were healthy.
The company has argued in a motion to dismiss the case that the plaintiff lacks standing and has not suffered any cognizable injury. However, the court has not yet ruled on the motion.
Neither Paul nor KSI have made any public statements regarding the lawsuit, and an email to the company was not immediately returned by the time of publication.
The allegations against Prime are part of a growing body of evidence linking PFAS chemicals to various health problems. These chemicals have been widely used in a range of products, including non-stick cookware, clothing, cleaning products, beauty products, and food packaging.
Once they enter the environment, PFAS are persistent and can accumulate in the human body, posing potential health risks. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned a handful of the most-used PFAS chemicals from food packaging and other manufacturing processes, but there are as many as 15,000 different types of PFAS, making it challenging to regulate them effectively.
Prime Hydration launched in January 2022 and quickly became one of the most recognizable sports drinks brands on the market. The company has marketing deals with major sports teams and athletes, including Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, the LA Dodgers, the UFC, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
The lawsuit against Prime highlights the growing concerns about the presence of PFAS chemicals in consumer products and the need for greater transparency and regulation to protect public health.
