• Browse by: category | company | brand | product type  
  • HOME
  • THE GUIDE
  • ISSUES
  • GET INFORMED
  • GET INVOLVED
  • SHOP
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT US
  • All  |
  • Baby  |
  • Clothing  |
  • Food & Drink  |
  • Household  |
  • Office Supplies  |
  • Personal Care  |
  • Pet  |
  • Retail  |
  • Technology  |
  • Toys
  • |  Print Guide  |
  • App
  • Clothing  |
  • Electronics  |
  • Food & Drink  |
  • Household & Personal Care
  • Issues  |
  • New! Clothing  |
  • Why Shop Ethically?  |
  • 5 Principles  |
  • Companies to avoid  |
  • News  |
  • Sign Up for Updates
  • Go ethical at school, work, home  |
  • Campaign  |
  • Spread the Word  |
  • Volunteer  |
  • Workshops  |
  • Movie Nights  |
  • Fundraising
  • All Products  |
  • Shop Ethical! app  |
  • Shop Ethical! book  |
  • Stockists  |
  • Other books  |
  • Fregie sacks  |
  • FREE STUFF!  |
  • DONATE
  • Introduction  |
  • About Us  |
  • Ratings & Assessment  |
  • Media Mentions  |
  • Testimonials  |
  • FAQ

Red Bull

OVERALL

Owned
AUT
Rating
Criticism, some praise

Energy drink maker

Red Bull has about 40% of the worldwide energy drink market. Founded in 1984 by sports enthusiast Dietrich Mateschitz, who owns 49% of the company.

Red Bull GmbH   AUT     website         

> About the Ratings

Company Assessment

PRAISE CRITICISM INFORMATION
Red Bull GmbH
Social Misleading advertising
In 2014 a $13 million settlement was reached in two consumer class action lawsuits that allege Red Bull misrepresents the functionality and safety of its Red Bull energy drinks. The class action lawsuit took issue with the beverage maker's promises that "Red Bull gives you wings" and that it "vitalizes body and mind" due to its unique mixture of ingredients that could supposedly improve a consumer's mental and physiological performance. However, the plaintiffs allege Red Bull is no more effective than a cup of coffee or a caffeine pill.
Source: Top Class Actions (2014)
Social Misleading advertising
This company has been criticised for irresponsible advertising. In 2019 the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld a complaint about a Red Bull poster seen on the London Underground network. The ASA concluded the ad breached the Code, and told told the company not to imply that Red Bull could increase focus and concentration when those claims were not authorised on the EU Register.
Source: Advertising Standards Authority (2019)

> About the Icons

Company Details

Type Private company
Founded 1987
Revenue 3.8 billion EUR (2019)
Subsidiaries Red Bull Australia Pty Ltd 

Energy drink importers and marketers

Previously distributed in Australia by Schweppes Australia. Red Bull Australia took over distribution in 2010.

Contact Details

Address Fuschl am See, Austria
Website www.redbull.com

Products / Brands

Red Bull Australia
Red Bull Energy Drinks


  • About Us

    • Introduction
    • About Shop Ethical!
    • About ECG
    • About the Ratings
    • Assessment sources
    • Shop Ethical! database
    • Shop Ethical! book
    • Shop Ethical! app
    • Contact us
    • FAQ

    • Copyright
    • Privacy
    • Disclaimer
  • Get Informed

    • ISSUES
    • GET INFORMED
    • Electronics Guide
    • Clothing Guide
    • Values Screen
    • Why Shop Ethically?
    • 5 Principles
    • Be Inspired
    • Calendar
    • Local Harvest
  • Get Involved

    • GET INVOLVED
    • Go Ethical at school,
      work, home, church
    • Run a workshop or tour
    • Host a movie night
    • Spread the word
    • Resources
    • Volunteer
    • Support us
  • Connect

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Suggest brand/company
    • Report an error
    • Give feedback
    • Sign up for updates
    • Past newsletters
    • >>DONATE<<

    • GET the GUIDE
        • App Store
        • Google Play
        • buy our book