PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Oregon attorney general has sued the makers and marketers of 5-Hour Energy, alleging they engaged in deceptive advertising.
The lawsuit filed Thursday in Portland contends the company falsely claims customers get extra energy and focus from a unique blend of ingredients, when the effect actually comes from a concentrated dose of caffeine.
Oregon has been part of a group leading a 33-state investigation into the accuracy of the product's claims.
The suit also targets claims that users don't experience a crash when the effects subside and that the product is OK for adolescents.
The suit names Living Essentials LLC and Innovation Ventures LLC as defendants.
5-Hour Energy spokeswoman Melissa Skabich said state Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum is grasping at straws and the company will defend itself against what Skabich called civil intimidation.