An outraged parent took to social media to complain about Costco employees who refused to give samples to their children. Commenters appear to be siding with the workers.
In a viral TikTok video with 300,000 views as of Monday, shopper user Moonie (@moonie1976_) captures an employee refusing to give his son a sample of Alani Nu Energy Drink. Ta.
When the customer asked about the sample, the worker explained that it was an energy drink. She also said samples would only be distributed to adults.
“It’s not for kids,” she tells her customers.
“Oh, okay, come on guys,” the father of two replied as he dropped off his children.
“Dad, you can have it,” the worker replied.
The father refused to accept the sample, saying, “No, I'm good at coffee.”
But shoppers didn't seem to like the woman's refusal to give samples of the energy drink to her children.
The text “Costco is closed to children” was superimposed on the clip.
@moonie1976_ #Costco #Kids #Drink #Florida #Energy #EnergyDrink #smh @Costco Wholesale ♬ Original song – Moonie
In the comments section, users appear to be siding with Costco employees.
“That's good!! Energy drinks can be very harmful to the body,” the user wrote.
User Amy wrote, “Energy drinks can kill adults.” “They cause heart problems. Some people have died from drinking them. That's why we don't let our children have them.”
“Why is this an energy drink?” added another user. “But I'm sure if she had let him, he would have made an angry video about it.”
There are warnings that children should not consume energy drinks as they contain high levels of caffeine. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 12 avoid these drinks altogether. It also states that children between the ages of 12 and 18 should not consume more than 100 milligrams of caffeine per day.
According to Alani Nu's website, one can of the company's energy drink contains 200mg of caffeine.
Her father seems to have taken the backlash as a joke. He uploaded a parody video in which he tries to ask a mall employee for the strongest energy drink in the mall.
The Daily Dot reached out to Alani Nu and Costco through a contact form, and the TikToker through a comment.
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*First published: February 19, 2024 at 4:00 PM CST
Tiffany Drayton
Tiffany Drayton is a geek culture and lifestyle reporter who covers everything from gender and race to anime and Xbox. Her work has appeared in Complex, Salon, Marie Claire, Playboy, and more.
