Alright, imagine this—you crack open a can of Monster Energy to help spark your day. You sip a bit, and everything is fine. until you notice something is amiss. The can is still heavy after having just drunk from it.
That’s what happened to McKenzie Cain, a woman from Grand Rapids, Michigan. And what did she find inside Not extra energy. Not a prize figurine. But—brace yourself—a dead mouse.
Yes, you heard that right.
“What is that at the bottom of my can?”
As McKenzie gulped down a few sips, she noticed that her Monster unexpectedly felt heavy. We would probably just toss it out and ignore it, but McKenzie was intrigued (or suspicious). She opened her can even more to catch a glimpse of what was causing it to be so heavy.
And there it was: a small, furry body. A mouse, sunning itself in her beverage. Not dead. Not squeaky. Very, very dead.
Of course, she lost it.
The emotional fallout
This was more than a “gross-out” moment, says her lawyer. It was a true emotional and physical experience. McKenzie says she’s been suffering from:
- Extreme emotional distress
- Physical symptoms
- Anxiety
- Medical bills
- The requirement of professional counseling
Her routine was disrupted, and she says she hasn’t been able to put the idea out of her head about what she had eaten before she saw the mouse. Can you blame her
The lawsuit: what she’s seeking
So what’s next? McKenzie is suing Monster Energy for $25,000. That money, she says, will pay for:
- Her medical bills
- Counseling sessions
- The emotional harm
- And any long-term impact
And, naturally, the usual fare that you see in lawsuits—interest, court costs, and whatever else the court considers reasonable.
The case was formally sent to federal court on July 14, 2025.
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What does the monster say
So far, Monster Energy has kept quiet about the current case. But in 2011, when another consumer complained of the same, Monster hit back. They called it “frivolous, baseless, and nothing more than an extortion attempt.” They even explained how they seal and sterilize their canning process—basically, they said there’s no way a mouse could make it through the process without ruining the drink.
So is it another one-in-a-lifetime fluke or a huge red flag for food safety
Quick facts
- Where: Grand Rapids, Michigan
- Discovery: A Dead mouse in Monster Energy can
- Amount of lawsuit: $25,000
- Claim: Emotional distress, medical problems, and product negligence
- Status: Case transferred to federal court
- Monster’s previous defense: Sterile canning makes contamination “impossible.”
FAQs
Q: Can a mouse actually live inside a sealed can
A: Monster says no. They say their canning system would ruin the drink if something like a mouse were to enter.
Q: Has this ever occurred before
A: Yes! A similar complaint occurred in 2011.
Q: What then
A: The case is now in federal court. Monster is possibly going to make a response within the near future, and the judge will determine whether it proceeds.
So next time you open a can of energy, maybe give it a little shake—and maybe a little quick prayer.
