FOLLOW US

Case Insights

• Summary: McKenzie Cain, a Michigan woman, is suing Monster Energy for $25,000, alleging she found a dead mouse in a can of their energy drink purchased in April 2024, causing emotional distress and physical illness.
• Noteworthy Fact: Monster Energy denies the claim, labeling it a “hoax” and citing strict manufacturing processes that make such contamination impossible.
• Significant Implication: The lawsuit, now in federal court, could impact Monster Energy’s reputation as the second-best-selling energy drink in the U.S., especially if similar claims resurface.By Samuel Lopez – USA Herald

  Imagine taking a sip of your favorite energy drink, only to discover a dead mouse lurking at the bottom of the can. That’s the nightmare McKenzie Cain claims she experienced, prompting a $25,000 lawsuit against Monster Energy. This case has since been moved to federal court. As Monster Energy vehemently denies the claim, calling it a “hoax,” the case still raises questions about manufacturing standards, consumer trust, and the potential for copycat lawsuits.

  Monster Energy, the second-best-selling energy drink in the U.S. behind Red Bull, has built a loyal following among consumers seeking a caffeine boost. In 2024 alone, the brand’s neon-green cans were a staple in convenience stores and gyms nationwide. However, a lawsuit filed by McKenzie Cain in September 2024 threatens to tarnish its image. Cain alleges she purchased a Monster Energy drink from a Grand Rapids, Michigan, bagel restaurant in April 2024 and discovered a dead mouse inside after consuming part of it. The case, initially filed in state court, was transferred to the Western District of Michigan federal court on July 14, 2025, according to court records. This isn’t the first time Monster has faced such claims— a similar lawsuit in 2011 accused the company of the same issue, which Monster also dismissed as “frivolous.”

  The Allegations
  According to the lawsuit, McKenzie Cain consumed part of a Monster Energy drink before noticing the can felt unusually heavy. “Out of curiosity, Cain opened the can further, and to her horror, found a dead mouse laying in the bottom of the can,” the lawsuit states. Cain claims the incident caused “emotional distress, trauma, and physical illness,” seeking $25,000 in damages. Her attorney, Zach Runyan, emphasized the severity of the alleged incident, stating, “It’s hard to imagine many things more disgusting than finding a dead mouse at the bottom of your energy drink. It is also dangerous. Mice, like all rodents, often carry diseases that can be extremely harmful.” Cain’s lawsuit accuses Monster Energy of negligence, strict liability for causing physical harm, and breach of implied warranty of merchantability, asserting that no beverage should reach consumers with such contamination.

  123Next
  TAGS beverage industryconsumer safetyconsumer trust.energy drink safetyfederal courtfood contaminationLegal newsMcKenzie CainMichigan lawsuitMonster Energy hoaxMonster Energy lawsuitmouse in energy drinknegligence lawsuitProduct LiabilityUSA Herald