As you may already know, Logan Paul and KSI (aka Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji) launched the famous sports drink brand called Prime Hydration in 2022. You know, the brand made a big splash, quickly generating $1.2 billion in revenue before 2023 rolled around. But Prime Hydration is now contending with heavy legal pressure for falsely claiming that their drinks possess the health-harmful chemicals known by their nickname, the “forever” chemicals, you know, the PFAS, which initially raised an alarm among people due to their long-term effects on the ecosystem and their connection to human health. So, let’s have a look at why this Prime Lawsuit Forever Chemicals is in the headlines, and why you should even care about it all.
First Of All, What Are These PFAS or So-Called “Forever Chemicals”?
Just to be clear from the start, PFAS are man-made or synthetic chemicals that have been included in many consumer products available in the market, from sandwich wrappings to household materials and even food supplies. Their chemical composition is such that they comprise molecules that have both a side that is hydrophilic and one that is hydrophobic. This attribute of theirs enables them to efficiently repel water and sport dirt as well as create strings of products that are durable and non-biodegradable among other things. Hence, these chemicals are referred to as ‘forever chemicals’. There are many studies being done on these chemicals, and the results of these chemicals on human health are not looking good.
So, Why This Prime Lawsuit Forever Chemicals Then?
At the start of August 2023, an individual from California called Elizabeth Castillo went ahead and sued Prime Hydration. Why? Well, she stated that along with other consumers, they were misled, as they believed that PFAS was not present in any of Prime’s sports drinks. And yes, the lawsuit, which is filed by the Milberg law firm, alleges that independent tests have shown the grape-flavored Prime Hydration drink has PFAS levels three times higher than the safe limit EPA established for drinking water, you know? Castillo further added that had she known about the presence of these chemicals, she would not have purchased the drink.
All in all, this lawsuit is a collective one, meaning it was initiated on behalf of many consumers who feel they were misled the same way. Castillo and her legal representatives’ plea is for $5 million in compensation. The case is being heard in California Federal court, where Prime Hydration is presently attempting to have the lawsuit thrown out, arguing Castillo has not provided proof of any actual harm resulting from the drink. So yes, things aren’t very clear yet.
What Did Logan Paul Say About This Prime Lawsuit Forever Chemicals?
Logan Paul talked about all this on his account on TikTok, where he has millions of followers. He rejected the claims, asserting that “anyone can sue anyone at any time, but that doesn’t mean the lawsuit is true.” He noted that the EPA considers PFAS levels below 1.1 parts per trillion (ppt) as being so low that they can’t be measured accurately, whereas the lawsuit claimed Prime’s beverages contained only 0.06 ppt of PFAS.