5-hour Energy
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Energy drinks |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Founder | Manoj Bhargava |
Key people | Manoj Bhargava (CEO) |
| Products | 5-hour Energy |
5-hour Energy (displayed as 5-hour ENERGY) is an energy shot manufactured by Living Essentials LLC, a company founded by CEO Manoj Bhargava with the product debuting in 2004.
Ingredients
This energy shot includes vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin B12, sodium, taurine, glucuronolactone, malic acid, N-Acetyl L-tyrosine, L-phenylalanine, caffeine, and citicoline.[1] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved the product, which contains no sugar and depends on caffeine and amino acids for its stimulating effects.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Use is discouraged for children below 12 years as well as pregnant or breastfeeding women.[2]
History
Living Essentials LLC introduced 5-Hour Energy in 2004 under the leadership of founder Manoj Bhargava.[3]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name By the year 2012, retail sales had reportedly reached approximately $1 billion.[3]
A laboratory test by Consumer Reports in 2011 revealed that a 2 US oz (59 ml) bottle held 207 mg of caffeine, surpassing the caffeine content of an 8 oz Starbucks coffee serving (180 mg). The label advises consuming half a bottle (103 mg caffeine) for typical use and a full bottle for enhanced energy. For comparison, a standard 250 ml coffee contains less than 100 mg of caffeine.[2][4]
In 2012, testing by Forbes determined that the regular strength formula contained 157 mg of caffeine, while the Extra Strength version had 206 mg.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
By December 2012, Consumer Reports analyzed caffeine amounts across 27 energy drinks: Decaf (6 mg), Original (215 mg), and Extra Strength (242 mg). The report concluded that although 5-Hour Energy effectively alleviates drowsiness similar to coffee, scientific support for amino acids and B vitamins improving energy levels was minimal.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
In October 2021, the company broadened its offerings by releasing a new carbonated energy drink in a 16-ounce size.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Legal issues
In 2010, Living Essentials was subject to a lawsuit alleging health hazards and misleading labeling; this case was dismissed in 2011. The FDA conducted an investigation in 2012 concerning reports connecting 5-Hour Energy to consumer fatalities.
By 2014, during ongoing probes into deceptive advertising, the company actively engaged with state attorneys general and contributed $280,000 to political campaigns amid these examinations. Multiple states initiated legal action over deceptive marketing claims, alongside pending class-action lawsuits.
In 2016, Living Essentials prevailed in a $22 million trademark infringement case against Stacker 2 regarding similar branding of products. Conversely, in 2017, the company was found guilty of deceptive practices in Washington state and was ordered to pay $4.3 million; Living Essentials declared intentions to contest the ruling.
An antitrust lawsuit filed in 2018 alleged preferential pricing offered to Costco; however, a federal jury in 2019 determined that Living Essentials did not breach federal laws by providing Costco lower prices than its competitors.
External links
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