The family of a 17-year-old Texas cheerleader has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against distributors of an energy drink, saying that she died from an enlarged heart caused by ingesting large amounts of caffeine.
The family of Larissa Nicole Rodriguez, who died in October 2025, is accusing Alani Nu Energy Drinks and the Texas retailer, Glazer’s Beer and Beverage, that sold her the beverages of inadequately warning “consumers of the serious risks” of consuming the drink, according to the lawsuit, viewed by Global News.
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Hidalgo County District Court, says that Rodriguez purchased and consumed “one or more Alani Nu Energy Drinks,” which contain 200 mg of caffeine per 12-fluid-ounce can in the U.S. (and 140 mg of caffeine per can in Canada), on or about October 20, 2025, and “the days leading up to it.”
For comparison, a 355-mL can of Coca-Cola has 34 mg of caffeine, and Diet Coke has 45 mg.
“Following her consumption of Alani Nu Energy Drinks, Larissa Rodriguez suffered a fatal cardiac event. The Hidalgo County Medical Examiner determined that Larissa Rodriguez’s cause of death was cardiomyopathy caused by excessive caffeine consumption,” the legal documents state.
“At the time of her death, Larissa Rodriguez was seventeen years old—a minor for whom the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and the American College of Sports Medicine have all unequivocally stated that energy drinks have no place in the diet of children and adolescents,” the docs add.
The lawsuit states that despite containing 200 mg of caffeine per can, “Alani Nu Energy Drinks include no maximum daily consumption limit on the label, no warning that consumption of multiple cans may be dangerous, and no prominent or conspicuous warning that the product is not intended for minors or that consumption by children may cause serious injury or death.”
Rodriquez’s family said that Alani Nu is “marketed as a ‘better-for-you’ wellness and lifestyle beverage” and notes that the marketing is “particularly deceptive” because it positions the product as part of a “healthy, active lifestyle,” while “concealing the substantial cardiac and neurological risks associated with its concentrated caffeine and stimulant ingredients.”
“The branding emphasizes health, beauty, and an active lifestyle, using taglines that reference ‘natural glow,’ ‘B vitamins,’ and ‘zero sugar.’ The pastel-colored cans, candy-inspired flavors (such as ‘Cosmic Stardust,’ ‘Cherry Slush,’ ‘Hawaiian Shaved Ice,’ and ‘Rocket Pop’), and wellness-focused aesthetic deliberately blur the line between a dangerous caffeinated stimulant and a harmless lifestyle accessory,” the lawsuit adds.
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The lawsuit notes that the only cautionary language on the can —”Not recommended for children under 18, those sensitive to caffeine, pregnant or nursing women”— is “printed in small, inconspicuous text that is easily overlooked and wholly inadequate to warn consumers of serious risks of cardiac injury and death.”
“The warning does not alert consumers that consumption can cause cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, or death,” the lawsuit adds.
The Rodriquez family’s lawsuit also mentions that the “inadequacy of Alani Nu’s warnings has drawn regulatory attention internationally.”
“In August 2023, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (‘CFIA’) issued a safety warning for Alani Nu Energy Drinks due to non-compliant caffeine content and labeling, and advised Canadians not to drink, sell, or distribute the product,” the legal filing says.
“Canadian regulations require energy drinks to carry prominent warnings stating the beverages are not recommended for those under 14 years old, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or individuals sensitive to caffeine, and limit caffeine content in energy drinks. No equivalent regulation exists in the United States, and Alani Nu has exploited this regulatory gap.”
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The lawsuit also mentions the energy drink industry’s “failures to warn have been subject of extensive litigation,” including the wrongful death lawsuit from the parents of an Ivy League student with a heart condition who died after she allegedly drank a “Charged Lemonade” from Panera Bread.
“Most notably, Panera Bread faced wrongful death lawsuits over its ‘Charged Lemonade’ beverages, which contained high levels of caffeine and guarana extract similar to Alani Nu,” the lawsuit notes.
“Those lawsuits alleged that the beverages were not adequately labeled as energy drinks, were placed alongside non-caffeinated beverages without adequate warnings, and caused fatal cardiac events in consumers with and without pre-existing conditions. Panera discontinued the product in May 2024.”
Rodriguez’s parents said that their daughter “suffered physical pain and mental anguish, pain and torment prior to her death” as a result of the wrongful conduct by the defendants of the lawsuit.
“Additionally, her Estate incurred medical and funeral expenses and past and future lost wages and earning capacity, and other damages for which Defendants are liable,” the suit added.
Rodriguez’s parents are seeking damages of more than US$1 million from their daughter’s death.
Celsius Inc., which owns Alani Nu, said in a statement to NBC News that it is “saddened by this loss, and our thoughts are with the family. We take product safety seriously and believe consumers should have clear information about what they are drinking.”
“Alani Nu energy drinks disclose 200mg of caffeine on the can, and the label states the product is not recommended for children, people sensitive to caffeine, pregnant women, or women who are nursing,” the statement added. “Our products comply with applicable federal labeling requirements, and our policy is not to market or sample to anyone under 18, consistent with those label warnings.”
Celsius, which acquired Alani Nu in April 2025, is not a defendant in the wrongful death lawsuit.
Benny Agosto Jr., a lawyer representing Rodriguez’s family, said at a news conference Wednesday that the Hidalgo County Medical Examiner said Rodriguez’s cause of death “was an enlarged heart due to stress and large amounts of caffeine.”
Agosto said that the 17-year-old cheerleader was “full of life, full of love, smart, academic and with a bright future.”
“Her life was cut short,” he said.
So she was forced to drink it
The can does not need to say not recommended for children, the government needs to say not allowed to be sold to children. Because most of these children are in their teens and which the parent does not with them 24/7. I know of no parent that says to their child yes you can buy an energy drink and ddrink it.
At age 14 my son walked into a grocery store and spent $185 on energy drinks back then they were like a dollar forty a can he proceeded to drink about 12 cans and we ended up in the ER with him having some heart problems. I have wrote to the FDA saying that these need to be regulated and not sold to children at all we don’t let children drink liquor we don’t let children smoke cigarettes but we allow them to go spend 185 on energy drinks. He did this well I was at work and so did he could play sports with his friends and have energy. When I found the remainder in his closet I called the store and demanded a refund and first they said that there’s no law against what they did. So I told them that I would make it publicly known that they sold a 14-year-old kid $185 worth of energy drinks at one time. Then I turned around and took them the medical bills. They refunded the money and paid the medical bills. But I was lucky the store that sold it to him was a big brand store. So this is not unparent trying to get some money I didn’t sue for any money it’s a parent like me trying to make it known that these drinks should not be sold to children having on the can not recommended does not mean not be able to sell and some stores they just care about the money not about the person buying it and it stores need to take responsibility because they know energy drinks shouldn’t be consumed by children.
Just another family looking for a free payout. Let’s not act like everyone in this entire world doesn’t know energy drinks are not good for you. They know damn well they’re bo good. They just want a free hand out. Leeches.
Sadly, another case of someone giving their child whatever they want, and paying scant attention to what that is. Then expecting that there’s a nanny state out there doing parenting in your absence.
But it pays well, eh?
I’ve warned my boy not to drink them , his Doctor told him not to drink them and his boss warned him not to drink so many…but guess what? When I’m not around he drinks them anyways and ended up at Emergency with chest pains….so I wouldn’t blame the parents parenting until you know the facts.
She should know better not to have energy drinks with an enlarged heart. She should be happy she knew about this like 10 years ago for her. I just found out 7 years ago when I was 40 when I got severe depression. Sadly she won’t win since the girl knew not to have 3 cuz that’s too much for anyone to drink that become the law 20 years or so. Very sad to say and the warning is on the can. They sadly won’t win when the energy company knows she had an enlarged heart the doctor would say not too much caffeine. Enough warning labels on cans about this. Since many young kids have passed away by having one too many energy drinks. 2 is good but Alani or Bloom has no warning since they not as lethal as the other energy drinks. Law was passed in 2007 I believe
2026 energy drinks aren’t new. Blaming the company for you own parenting ignorance just shows how many brain cells the parents have. They cant even take responsibility without blaming someone else.
Its almost like caffeine is considered a drug and can be addictive. Plus the drink has a warning label on it (redbull and monster both have a not suitable for anyone under 18 on them) and she was 17 so technically still a minor so it should have been the parents responsibility to ensure she isnt drinking too much or even accessing them. The parents should be the ones taking responsibility for letting their daughter off herself by not being better and more attentive for their daughters safety in this situation as they knew and LET her drink as many energy drinks as she did and they probably knew if she had any heart issues too so why is it Alani’s fault when the parents were too lazy to properly parent and the daughter was too stupid to not know to not drink that much caffeine. Its covered in damn health class in high school what those drinks can do to you so it should be common sense to a lot of people. Not only that but I know plenty of people who didnt and had cut out caffeine cuz they hated what it was doing to them. And caffeine addiction is a real problem in America but you cant just blame energy drinks when people down 5 coffees every day or take caffeine patches or 5 hour energy (which is way worse for you btw) or even caffeine dip/pouches. Caffeine addiction symptoms include but aren’t limited too fatigue, severe headaches, irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, digestive issues, and muscle tremors. Caffeine withdrawal is also a thing amd is normally 2 to 9 days long with the withdrawal peak being 24 to 48 hours in and is accompanied by headaches, fatigue, or mood swings within the first 12 to 24 hours since the last caffeine intake.
No im not a doctor im just a young adult who went through caffeine addiction and am still battling it which is why I know so much about caffeine addiction, withdrawals, and what this stuff can do to your body if you rely on it too much. If anyone caffeine is like weed its down to be your best bud but the moment you try to leave it it throws a fit
I warned my kids about those drinks years ago when they came out told them not allowed and why !! It is up to the parents to deal with it and be a parent everyone thinks its so cool to dtink them including mom and dad but no one needs that much caffeine at all its dangerous! I have a heart issue if I drank one of those it would make my heart so irregular i would end up in the hospital I dont touch them !! They are garbage and kill people stop buying them !!
It’s always someone else fault.
How ignorant and neglectful are the parents? 1) They knew the entire time that she was ingesting large amounts of caffeinated energy drinks, but did nothing to stop her? 2) they tried lying and said there was no warning label? There definitely is, not to mention everyone knows the risks of drinking multiple ENERGY drinks.. 3) there daughter died due to inattentive parents, now those same parents are blaming a drink they shouldn’t have even let their daughter drink; it makes no sense..
Ritalin Has been Killing Students since the Very Beginning!!! You,re Teachers a Drug & Doctrine Pushers….
Single can of aulani contains exactly 200 mg of caffeine for a child between the ages of 12 and 18 only 100 mg a day is recommended but that can change with body mass index, for a skinnier and good body mass index person they are more than likely going to stay at 100 mg of caffeine before a heavier child or heavier person in general the body is going to be able to consume more caffeine per day, there are still limits but a heavier person can more handle 200 mg compared to someone like a cheerleader or an athlete. Overconsumption of caffeine is going to cause high blood pressure or an arrhythmia. I would like to define what both of those mean so you can understand how this happens blood pressure is the force exerted in the force inserted as your blood is pumped through your heart that’s why blood pressure has two numbers is the force going in and the force coming out and arrhythmia is the rate that your heart is beating caffeine causes tachycardia which is a faster heart rhythm, when caffeine enters the system in high dosage amounts your body tries to overcompensate by either getting blood through the heart faster or speeding up the heart rhythm to compensate for that irregularity and that is what causes an enlarged heart but this can only happen when caffeine is over consumed and not monitored. So if you are having issues sleeping or staying awake consult a doctor do not try to over consume caffeine eat fruit eat vegetables eat something healthy and that’s going to help you way more than one energy drink could. It’s okay to have an energy drink, heck I even have them knowing just how dangerous they could be but I limit myself I don’t drink one every singular day and I don’t drink them on the weekends unless I feel like it then I do but not very often, so limit yourself on the caffeine you consume that includes soda and go eat a banana or an apple or something instead it’ll do you better in the long run.
Also notice how every single person that spoke in the video were professors..? They may have had doctor in front of their name but they were professors at a university in Canada.. it’s just looking like a Canadian issue right now thought the girl was American..?? I swear people like to feel stupid or look stupid on purpose..
First of all they point out that the energy drink says not recommended for children but yet they continue to buy it for their daughter also mind you she’s 17 not considered a child. Also the causes of an enlarged heart caffeine ain’t going to do it not unless you’re drinking like way too many a day and that be more than two because that is way over the amount of recommended caffeine for an adult person. Also why is a beer company included in the lawsuit…?? Like are these people selling the Alani energy drink because if not there’s another issue at hand called alcoholism.. you can’t include an alcohol company in a lawsuit unless there’s the ones that have been selling this energy drink which they shouldn’t because it’s not alcohol and if the companies main selling point is alcohol that’s all they sell. More than likely the daughter ended up getting some heart issues because she looks like she’s in cheer and dance and depending on how long she has been in cheer or dance and all that exercise and hard breathing your heart’s going to try and compensate my pumping faster and it can’t do that with such little room so your heart will enlarge. No one has to be a doctor but you should probably get an autopsy and then speak to a doctor before you go out here making baseless lawsuits
Only in America… where you also need to include warnings not to put your dog in the microwave to dry…. this is ridiculous!
Energy drinks have less caffeine than a medium coffee at tims. This lawsuit is ridiculous
“one or more caffeine can”
Imma be honest, i really think that she drank more than one to get her condition. The parents should be to blame to let their child drink that stuff instead of teaching her the dangers of too much caffeine.
How exactly can they blame the company? The risks and the caffeine amount is on the can. If someone seriously can’t pay attention to that it’s their fault. Use common sense kids.
I really hate to be that person, but the can literally says the caffeine amount and that it’s not intended for people under 18. She was 17, and at that age I’m hoping it would be common sense that you shouldn’t down a bunch of energy drinks.
A large coffee has around 140-240mg of caffeine you forgot to add the metric people can use
Another family trying to cash in on the daughter’s stupid life choices.
Another frivolous lawsuit where it should be the parents who get a kick in the ass. The parents are to be responsible for raising their kids, and at least trying to instill a modicum of common sense in them. But, sure, they’ve screwed up so let’s blame someone else.
Parents should be warning their kids about the dangers of energy drinks. They should also be regulated to have no more caffeine than a cup of coffee.
This is silly. A 7-11 brewed coffee contains 280 mg of caffine.
As a teen I drank 2 liters of Cola at a time. That is 208mg of caffine.
There are no studies linking caffine and enlarged heart. This is just ambulance chasing.