Scientists: Red Bull Has Cocaine in It but Not a Big Deal

Last week, we had a bit of a flap over Red Bull Cola, which was banned in six German states because scientists found some blow in it.  But now other scientists, these in Taiwan, have overturned that verdict.  Or more specifically, they’ve ok’ed Red Bull itself – but only after seizing $700,000+ worth of it:

On Saturday, Taipei prosecutors and agents from the Investigation Bureau seized 17,165 cases of Red Bull Energy Drink — worth about NT$25 million (US$781,000) — from importer Nanlien International Co in Taoyuan and Kaohsiung.

The National Bureau of Controlled Drugs on Thursday tested Red Bull Energy Drink and found traces of cocaine, at a concentration of 0.03mg per liter.

But studies turned up a surprising result: using drugs can make you up to four times cooler among your high school peers.  Really, though:

“The concentration level is very low. Even if a person drinks [Red Bull Energy Drink] on a long-term basis, the person is very unlikely to become addicted,” he said.

Yang said the average person would have to consume 1g to 2g of cocaine to die or become critically ill, while people with a low tolerance of the drug may die after consuming 20mg.

This means that people with low tolerance would have to drink 700,000 liters, or 2 million cans, in one sitting to die from an overdose.

Sounds like a challenge to me.

Unfortunately, the company that makes Red Bull is not publicly traded in the stock market, so you will not be able to get in on the tremendous sales bump that’s about to go down with this drink.

Source: Taipei Times.