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That PRIME energy drink mania has totally alarmed the National Association of School Governing Bodies (NASGB).

On May 1, the popular energy drink, founded by YouTuber Logan Paul and rapper Olajide Olayinka Williams (KSI), hit the shelves of Checkers. The South African retailer sells a 500ml bottle for R39,99 – which is said to be sold for R400 and upwards per bottle elsewhere.

The stuff, containing an inordinate amount of caffeine, is believed to cause major behavioural changes in people, especially children, and so the NASGB has called for the ban of PRIME in schools. They’re also urging the government to investigate whether the drink is responsible for behavioural changes in children.

Matakanye Matakanye, NASGB chairperson, expressed his concern via News24:

“School is a very sensitive environment. Any behaviour that changes will have an impact on the delivery of quality education.”

Matakanye said the NASGB is worried pupils might “even hurt one another because we’re [not familiar with] these types of behavioural issues”.

Matakanye has advised the governing body to make a quick decision to ban PRIME until the authorities can confirm whether or not the drink does have a negative effect on behaviour.

He has also asked parents to step in and keep the drink away from their children as it may very well be harmful to their health. As noted before, PRIME Energy contains 200 milligrams of caffeine per can (more jittery stuff than a Red Bull), which is equivalent to about two to three instant coffees. The hydration drink also includes two artificial sweeteners (sucralose and acesulfame potassium), the latter of which is known to cross the blood-brain barrier and cause neurological issues in the long term.

The energy drink does state that it is ‘Not for sale to children or people under the age of 18’. But anyway, the Shoprite Group said that the drink sold at their Checkers stores contained no caffeine:

“We chose not to bring in the energy drink… because we do not want to market things that could be seen a detrimental to children,” the Shoprite Group said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education is saying that the School Governing Bodies (SGB) have the legal power to determine what pupils are allowed to bring into schools and should put their foot down already if they are so concerned.

The DoE also shifted the blame saying that the Department of Trade and Industry should look into what they give permission to be sold in the country.

Then, Matakanye also reckons the Department of Health has a part to play, saying that “We can’t just [ignore] these complaints… because tomorrow we’ll come back and ask where we’ve gone wrong. We really just want assurance that there’s nothing wrong with this thing”. Now I’m afraid too many departments are involved in being uninvolved and nothing will happen.

At the end of the day, it is up to the parents and honestly, anything Logan Paul punts should be side-eyed, investigated and probably discarded immediately.

The UK already banned all PRIME drinks from schools stating that  “Although there are no health risks to children associated with drinking ‘Prime Hydration’, the drink does contain a high level of electrolytes. Electrolytes aren’t recommended for children unless they are unwell or at risk of dehydration.”

Everyone probably just needs to chill a bit though. How about some electrolytes and caffeine-free chamomile tea, everyone?

[source:news24]