As the FDA stated, ‘the existence of an adverse event report does not necessarily mean that the product identified in the report actually caused the adverse event’.A statement from Red Bull • Regarding a filing by the FDA on Friday revealing the company — much like Monster, Rockstar and 5-Hour Energy, who faced similar FDA filings earlier in the week — had seen its product associated with so-called “adverse events,” such as illness, that happened after a person consumed the beverage. Unlike Monster and 5-Hour Energy, Red Bull was not in any way associated with any deaths — rather, 21 reports of hospitalization for health problems such as heart issues and vomiting. And to be clear, the FDA’s reports in all cases do not claim the the beverages were the direct cause, and do not take into account outside factors, such as pre-existing conditions. All listed companies claim their products are safe.
27-year-old Vorayuth Yoovidhya, who recently received a large inheritance after his grandfather, Chaleo Yoovidhya, died in March, was arrested in Bangkok after hitting a policeman with his Ferrari and dragging him for several blocks, killing him. A police official tried to cover for Vorayuth, whose family is worth $5.4 billion, by turning in a decoy suspect. However, this just led higher-ranking police officials to raid the family’s home, where they found a smashed-up Ferrari. Vorayuth was charged with reckless driving and escaping arrest, but released on $15,900 bail. (AP Photo)
Obit of the Day: Inventor of Red Bull
The most famous energy drink in the world was created by a 50-someting, Thai recluse. Chaleo Yoovidhya created Red Bull (which is the English translation of the original Thai name Krathing Daeng) in the 1980s and marketed the high-caffeine carbonated beverage to truck drivers and blue collar workers.
Not long after its introduction, a German pharmaceutical sales rep named Dietrich Mateschitz, tried the drink on his worldwide travels and found that it was the only cure he could find for jet lag. He partnered with Mr. Yoovidhya (each contributed $500,000 and owned 49% of the company) to introduce Red Bull to an international market. Red Bull was introduced first to Austria in 1987.
Twenty-five years later Red Bull owns 70% of the energy drink market and both Yoovidhya and Mateschitz have become billionaires. When Mr. Yoodvidhya died his age was listed by various news outlets as 80, 88, or 90.
(Image of a bottle of Red Bull from Thailand is courtesy of forum.loyat.net)
He gave you wings.
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