Family sues after girl, 14, died 'after drinking two cans of Monster energy drink'

A 14-year-old girl collapsed and died after having two cans of a fashionable caffeine-rich drink, billed by the makers as a 'killer energy brew'.

Anais Fournier suffered a heart attack which her family claims was brought on my 'caffeine toxicity' after she drank the Monster Energy drinks.

The teenager, who had a disorder than can weaken blood vessels, died two days before Christmas last year after the drink affected her heart's ability to pump blood.

Now her family is suing Monster Beverage Corp as the US Food and Drug Administration launched an investigation into the energy drink.

The drink has been linked to five deaths and one non-fatal heart attack. The 24oz can of Monster Energy contains 240 milligrams of caffeine - three times as much as nearest rival Red Bull.

Family sues after girl, 14, died 'after drinking two cans of Monster energy drink'

Anais's parents, from Hagerstown, Maryland, US, claim the company failed to warn consumers about the risk of drinking its products.

Her mum Wendy Crossland told CBS News: "I was shocked to learn the FDA can regulate caffeine in a can of soda, but not these huge energy drinks.

"With their bright colours and names like Monster, Rockstar, and Full Throttle, these drinks are targeting teenagers with no oversight or accountability.

"These drinks are death traps for young, developing girls and boys, like my daughter."

Labels on Monster cans – which its website describes as 'the meanest energy supplement on the planet' - state the drink is not recommended for children and people who are sensitive to caffeine.

Although the FDA is investigating allegations that Monster's heavily-caffeinated drinks caused adverse reactions, the agency said the reports do not prove that the drinks caused deaths or injuries.

Spokeswoman Shelly Burgess said: "As with any reports of a death or injury the agency receives, we take them very seriously and investigate diligently."

Monster Beverage Corp said it does not believe its drinks are responsible for Anais's death.

In a statement, the company said: "Monster is unaware of any fatality anywhere that has been caused by its drinks."