Cans Full of Controversy

Celsius is taking over the average teen’s home, becoming the newest form of Red Bull, a previously popular source of caffeine. 

An energy drink popular for its unique advertisements as well as its variety of flavors, Celsius has become a staple in the average household refrigerator. Marketed through TikTok, Instagram and even Snapchat, there seems to never be a day where a Celsius ad is not streamed across a cell phone. It is marketed as a healthier alternative to most energy drinks, leaving it at the top rank in the energy drink world. 

With all of these positive qualities, it is no wonder that Celsius has been making its way onto shelves in all local stores. But with all the positives come some negatives, and for the Celsius company, negativity came in the form of a lawsuit.

Recently Celsius was served due to misleading consumers about the ingredients. The label states that the drink is a preservative-free metabolism booster. However, testing has discovered that Celsius contains citric acid, making their previous claim of the drink not containing any types of preservatives false. 

Following these allegations, the company fought back against the lawsuit’s claims and stated that citric acid is not used as a main ingredient, but rather used for flavoring, therefore making it acceptable to not be included on the ingredients label. 

However, this was not enough to save the company, and the lawsuit was taken to court, ruling in the opposite party’s favor. The lawsuit has now reached a class action agreement that rewards individual customers up to 250 dollars if they have recently purchased the product. Consumers can submit a claim with their proof of purchase and are given this money due to the company falsifying information. 

Although the lawsuit has left more Celsius cans on the shelves in local grocery stores, it has not totally stopped consumers from purchasing the product. Masuk students seem to not have been bothered by the lawsuit with Celsius. The company’s cans are still being found on the desks of classrooms every morning.

Portia Lisanti, a sophomore at Masuk, is a frequent drinker of the product: “I still am a regular customer. I didn’t really follow the lawsuit but I like the drink so I still drink it.” 

Lisanti’s enjoyment of different Celsius flavors is what keeps bringing her back to it. Many people consume Celisus for the exact same reason: they are huge fans of the different tastes. A lawsuit about ingredients has not changed any minds about the deliciousness each sip of the drink holds.

Senior Libby Mchugh, on the other hand, has never supported the drink, before or after the lawsuit: “Caffeine is a drug, it is addictive and not good for you. Celsius contains too much caffeine and can cause people so many health problems. It causes more problems than it solves.” 

The Celsius bottle is labeled with 200 milligrams of caffeine per serving with each can containing one serving. That is more than three shots of espresso, which is equivalent to a venti iced triple shot espresso at Starbucks. 

Alani Nu has also become a popular energy drink in recent times, found on the shelf right next to Celsius in many stores. 

“I am an Alani Nu girl. I have had both and due to the lawsuit I’m sticking with Alani,” said junior Elise Graham, who has also tried out both of these drinks.

Graham has made the clear decision to avoid Celsius due to all the current controversy. Alani Nu has also become a popular energy drink in recent times, found right next to Celsius in stores.

Not everyone is on clear sides of the argument,  and senior Scarlett Darby is leaning on the fence.

“Too much caffeine will make me become sleep deprived and increase my anxiety,” said Darby, who enjoys the variety of flavors Celsius produces, but also is concerned about her health when sipping on the drink. “They taste good, but it is dangerous to have that amount of caffeine everyday.”

She worries about a spike in her anxiety due to the effects of excess caffeine on the body, and 200 milligrams can easily cause that rapid spike. The Celsius website corroborates the statement that side effects of increased heart rate, irregular heartbeat, insomnia and anxiety can occur after drinking the product. Thus Celsius does not recommend the soft drink for people under the age of 18.

Although the lawsuit has been settled, the Celsius controversy remains. School halls are filled with consumers, as well as those who are concerned about the contents of the drink.