A spokesman for the manufacturer of Jolt caffeine energy gum said this week's suspension of a Huston Middle School student for having the gum in school is a first for the company.
"We've never had a student suspended for taking (Jolt) to school," said Matt Gearhart, spokesman for New Jersey-based GumRunners.
"I don't know if it was something that was inevitable, but we are somewhat surprised by it."
Jolt has been on the market for three years and is available at a number of drugstores and other retailers such as Kmart.
Two pieces of the gum contain as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, according to the company.
Superintendent Amy Palermo said the heart of the issue was the student's decision to share the gum with another student. Palermo said school officials were concerned about a worst-case scenario in which the student who was given the gum might have had a reaction to it.
Gearhart said the company hasn't received any credible reports that anyone chewing the gum suffered negative health effects.
"We take the health of our consumers very seriously," he said.
Gearhart said the company respects the school district's decision to monitor what students bring to school.
District officials won't name the student who was suspended.
The suspension was for three days, district officials said.
