Monster Energy Faced Lawsuit Over Rodent Claims
A Pennsylvania consumer sued the beverage giant after allegedly finding a rodent carcass inside a purchased energy drink.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Consumer Goods
Live Poll
Do you trust that large food and beverage companies maintain safe quality control processes?
Teddy Soto filed a lawsuit in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas against Monster Energy Company, Monster Beverage Corporation, and Wawa. The filing follows Soto’s claim that he discovered a rodent carcass inside a Bang energy drink he purchased in Cumberland County.
Why it matters
The lawsuit alleges that the contaminated beverage caused the plaintiff significant physical and psychological distress, framing the product as unsafe and defective. Monster Energy has previously dismissed similar accusations of rodents found in its cans as hoaxes, citing its high-pressure canning processes.
Monster Beverage Corporation reported $2.54 billion in sales during the second quarter of 2026. The company previously completed the acquisition of Bang Energy in 2023 for $362 million.
The players
Teddy Soto
He is the plaintiff who filed a lawsuit alleging he found a rodent carcass inside a purchased beverage.
Monster Beverage Corporation
This company is a leading global producer of energy drinks that acquired Bang Energy in 2023.
Wawa
This regional chain of convenience stores is named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
The details
Soto claims he discovered the rodent after pulling his car over and shining a light into his nearly empty can. Monster maintains that its production line utilizes high-pressured deionized air and inverts cans to ensure the integrity and safety of its products.
Timeline
The initial lawsuit regarding rodents in Monster drinks occurred in 2011.
Monster Beverage Corporation acquired Bang Energy in 2023.
A Michigan woman filed a similar lawsuit against Monster in 2024.
Teddy Soto purchased the energy drink in January 2025.
Monster reported $2.54 billion in sales during Q2 2026.
Market Landscape
This lawsuit follows a pattern set by the 2024 Michigan lawsuit alleging rodents in Monster energy drinks, marking a recurring legal challenge for the manufacturer. These repeated allegations complicate the brand's efforts to maintain consumer trust following its 2023 acquisition of Bang Energy.
This case highlights potential safety concerns that may influence consumer confidence in bottled energy drinks. Customers should remain aware of product quality reports while the court determines the validity of the current contamination claims.
The takeaway
Consumers are encouraged to inspect packaged beverages for irregularities and report concerns to both retailers and manufacturers immediately. Maintaining awareness of product safety standards helps shoppers make informed decisions about their health and safety.
Further reading
Learn more about local retail litigation in the Consumer Goods section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Live Poll
Do you trust that large food and beverage companies maintain safe quality control processes?
