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Man died after eating Hero Instant Energy Mints, says coroner | Man died after eating Hero Instant Energy Mints, says coroner |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A man died from a caffeine overdose after eating too many high-energy mints, an inquest heard. | A man died from a caffeine overdose after eating too many high-energy mints, an inquest heard. |
John Jackson was found dead at his home in Wednesbury, West Midlands, on 2 May after eating Hero Instant Energy Mints. | John Jackson was found dead at his home in Wednesbury, West Midlands, on 2 May after eating Hero Instant Energy Mints. |
The 40-year-old had twice the recommended adult daily caffeine intake in his blood. | The 40-year-old had twice the recommended adult daily caffeine intake in his blood. |
Coroner Robin Balmain, who recorded a verdict of accidental death, said he would contact the Department of Health to see if action should be taken. | Coroner Robin Balmain, who recorded a verdict of accidental death, said he would contact the Department of Health to see if action should be taken. |
'Public needs to know' | 'Public needs to know' |
Mr Jackson's daughter, Rebecca Court, 23, said her father had treated the energy products "like they were any other mint". | Mr Jackson's daughter, Rebecca Court, 23, said her father had treated the energy products "like they were any other mint". |
"There is a warning on them, but it's tiny and in the shops they're sold next to all the other mints," she said. | "There is a warning on them, but it's tiny and in the shops they're sold next to all the other mints," she said. |
"It's scary. I think they should be sold behind the counter." | "It's scary. I think they should be sold behind the counter." |
Speaking after the inquest, Mr Balmain said: "I think the public need to know about these mints. | Speaking after the inquest, Mr Balmain said: "I think the public need to know about these mints. |
"Each one contains as much caffeine as the leading energy drink. | "Each one contains as much caffeine as the leading energy drink. |
"There are people who constantly chew on sweets. | "There are people who constantly chew on sweets. |
"If they eat these mints, they might ingest a huge amount of caffeine without knowing it." | "If they eat these mints, they might ingest a huge amount of caffeine without knowing it." |
Mr Jackson, from Walsall Road, had a liver condition which was a contributory factor in his death. | Mr Jackson, from Walsall Road, had a liver condition which was a contributory factor in his death. |
However, the cause of death was given as caffeine toxicity. | However, the cause of death was given as caffeine toxicity. |
'Aware of the dangers' | 'Aware of the dangers' |
Mr Balmain said he had never come across caffeine overdose as a cause of death before. | Mr Balmain said he had never come across caffeine overdose as a cause of death before. |
He could not say how many of the sweets Mr Jackson had eaten before his death, or whether the deceased man was aware of their high caffeine content. | He could not say how many of the sweets Mr Jackson had eaten before his death, or whether the deceased man was aware of their high caffeine content. |
"He may not have have been aware of the dangers - I think there's a strong possibility of that," Mr Balmain said. | "He may not have have been aware of the dangers - I think there's a strong possibility of that," Mr Balmain said. |
"These mints cost £4 for a packet of 12 but, nevertheless, they are mints and people may treat them as sweets." | "These mints cost £4 for a packet of 12 but, nevertheless, they are mints and people may treat them as sweets." |
A spokesperson for Hero Energy said it was shocked at the news of Mr Jackson's death. | |
He said the company was very vocal about the associated risks of caffeine consumption. | He said the company was very vocal about the associated risks of caffeine consumption. |
"We have many satisfied customers and their health and safety is very important to us," he said. | "We have many satisfied customers and their health and safety is very important to us," he said. |
"We will continue to strive for greater levels of consumer education, so customers can make informed decisions about all caffeinated products." | "We will continue to strive for greater levels of consumer education, so customers can make informed decisions about all caffeinated products." |
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