A small business owner boasts of selling an energy drink despite being banned across Australia for having nearly double the legal caffeine limit.
The Perth convenience store operator has bought $5,000 worth of Prime Energy and Prime Hydration drinks from Sydney amid fierce demand in Western Australia.
The colored drink was in short supply due to its viral popularity, while the watery sports drink version was banned in many schools across Australia after it was deemed unsuitable for under-15s.
Energy drinks have become a global phenomenon since internet stars Logan Paul and KSI launched the products last year.
Prime Energy Drink contains 200mg of caffeine in each 335ml can.
The unnamed Perth store owner has taken to social media (pictured) claiming he continues to receive “100 calls a day” for both Prime products
The decaffeinated Prime Hydration drink (pictured) has been flying off Woolworths shelves across the country
The colored drink (pictured) was in short supply due to its viral popularity but is now banned in many schools across Australia
The decaffeinated version of the drink has been stripped from Woolworths shelves whenever it appeared (pictured young boys at Perth Woolworths)
Energy drinks have become a global phenomenon since internet stars Logan Paul and KSI (pictured) launched the products last year
Banned by Australian and New Zealand Food Standards (FSANZ) as the maximum caffeine allowed in a drink is 32mg per 100ml in Australia.
Prime Energy can contain almost twice that number at 56mg per 100ml.
It comes in a range of flavors and has been described by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay as tasting like “fragrance”.
An unnamed Perth shop owner took to social media claiming he continues to receive “100 calls a day” for both Prime products, Western Australia mentioned.
“I am the only shop in Perth that sells it (primary energy), and I always like to do something different from my competition,” he said on social media.
“I’m selling (decaf) Prime Hydration for $15 and Prime Energy for $19.95.”
He added that it was one of the best business decisions he had ever made.
The man claimed that he did not sell Prime Energy drinks to children, as the label on the can indicated that they could not be sold to those under the age of 18.
Prime Hydration is also not suitable for sale to persons under the age of 15.
But it didn’t stop the drink’s huge rise in popularity among school children. The decaffeinated drink was stripped from Woolworths shelves whenever it appeared.
Footage from a social media post showed crowds of young boys storming a single supermarket in a mad rush to the drinks aisles.
Perth fan Joshua Woods, 19, was waiting for the one store opening at Carniop Shopping Center in Perth last Sunday, news.com.au He said.
“I was there an hour ago… when I opened the doors to the center you could hear the rush of children pouring through the center,” he said.
“As soon as the doors opened, kids pushed and crawled to get under the doors before charging through the store, the staff looked helpless and watched the store flood in a matter of seconds.”
Meanwhile, there are allegations that the drink – which can be purchased online – has caused fights after school, Perth now mentioned.
A fight broke out at Dalyellup Skate Park south of Perth between students from a nearby school on Tuesday.
The kids were fighting over drinks before the adults were forced to intervene – but the fight only escalated.
Police said officers were not called to the scene but it was reported on social media.
Many head teachers across Australia have now banned Prime Hydration on their grounds.
Harvey Primary School, 140km south of Perth, told parents the drink was banned from the school on Monday via its social media.
“We are aware that some stores have begun stocking Prime Hydration drinks,” the post said.
Prime is created by popular YouTubers Logan Paul and KSI. Prime Hydration bottles carry a “Not suitable for children under 15” label.
“Students may not bring these drinks to school or have these drinks in the school grounds during school hours.”
Miami State School on the Gold Coast sent a note to parents Monday after some of their students were spotted with drinks.
Some Queensland schools already have blanket bans on energy drinks.
Maryborough State High School in Queensland recently reminded parents of the ban, calling it a “potentially dangerous new trend”.
“The policy at Maryboro State High School as well as a number of other schools is that your own energy drinks and sports drinks are not allowed,” said Principal Simon Dunn. ABC.
Professor Ben Disbrow, a sports nutritionist from Griffith University, praised schools for preventing children from getting hung up on an “addictive substance”.
He said high-caffeine drinks have a range of physiological and cognitive effects that include insomnia, increased heart and breathing rates, and restlessness.
It is recommended that Prime Hydration Caffeine-Free Drink is not sold to children under 15 years of age
“In this case, giving a dose of caffeine to young children who have… developing cognitive function is not a wise idea,” he said.
FSANZ told Daily Mail Australia that energy drinks must comply with the Australian New Zealand Food Standards Act.
“FSANZ sets standards in law that are enforced by state, territory and New Zealand food regulators,” she said.
“These regulators are responsible for ensuring that Prime drinks comply with the rules if they are sold in Australia or New Zealand.”
Prime has been contacted by Daily Mail Australia for comment.
