Alani Nu Energy drinks sit on a shelf at a supermarket. Credit: Instagram / @jackiemitchellll

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said Thursday that his office is investigating Celsius Holdings’ energy drink Alani Nu and whether the company deceptively markets the product to teenagers.​

The investigation comes after a South Texas family filed a wrongful death suit against Celsius Holdings, alleging their 17-year-old daughter, Larissa Rodriguez, died after consuming large amounts of the highly caffeinated drink.

“Texas families deserve to know that the products marketed to their children are safe and not filled with dangerous levels of certain ingredients,” Paxton said in a statement. “The tragic death of a 17-year-old Texas girl allegedly caused by consuming a highly caffeinated energy drink is a sobering reminder of what is at stake when companies prioritize profit over the safety and well-being of our children.”

Paxton’s probe is looking into whether the company is intentionally marketing its product to teenagers despite the drink containing what some health experts consider an unhealthy level of caffeine for adolescents.

According to Paxton’s office, each 12-ounce can of Alani Nu contains 200 milligrams of caffeine, which many medical professionals deem dangerous for children and adolescents and can lead to an elevated heart rate, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, anxiety and dehydration among this group.

“Despite these concerns, Alani Nu’s packaging typically only lists the caffeine amount and does not provide any additional warnings related to age or potential heart-health risks,” Paxton’s announcement said.

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Michael Karlis is a multimedia journalist at the San Antonio Current, whose coverage in print and on social media focuses on local and state politics. He is a graduate of American University in Washington,...