The Australian Beverages Council, representing the local energy drinks industry, has today questioned the claims from a recent University of Adelaide study suggesting energy drinks are some unique contributor to hospital admissions. “Whilst the industry notes the survey size limitations of the study at just 60 people, claims that energy drinks are uniquely contributing to hospitalisations is simply not right.
This claim is sensationalist at best and what the authors actually found was that some people, after consuming too much caffeine, had an adverse reaction. Unfortunately, ‘drinking excessive coffee causes your heart to race’ doesn’t grab a headline” said the Council’s CEO, Mr Geoff Parker.
“The very simple facts about energy drinks in Australia are pretty clear – the category is already heavily regulated; the contribution of caffeine to the diet of 13-40 year olds from energy drinks pales in comparison to other foods and drinks containing caffeine; all ingredient combinations are perfectly safe; like coffee, energy drinks should be consumed in moderation.
“By law in Australia energy drinks must be clearly labelled that they are not suitable for children and no more than two per day should be consumed (2x250mL). These regulations, in addition to a cap on the caffeine content, equivalent to an instant cup of coffee for a 250mL can (80mg), make our energy drink regulations the toughest in the world.
“Australian Government data released as part of a broad ranging review into caffeine1 paints a clear picture of where teenagers in particular get their caffeine from. The average 14-16 year old for example gets just 3.8% of their daily dietary caffeine from energy drinks.
This compares with 32% from coffee, 5.2% from flavoured milk and 4.5% from confectionery and muesli bars. If caffeine is the concern for these experts behind the Adelaide study, which obviously it is, then they should be calling for more regulations on the caffeine levels in coffee and chocolate to carry warning statements on packs – ‘not suitable for teenagers’.
“The ABS recently released data as part of the Australian Health Survey.2 This survey found that the mean intake of energy drinks across all 14-18 year olds was just 6.3mL, representing less than 0.4% of total intake of all non-alcoholic, non-dairy beverages. In this age group, just 1.7% of the entire population consumed energy drinks. This paints a very clear picture of consumption amongst teenagers.
In addition to abiding by strict food laws, the industry adheres to the following voluntary guidelines as part of the Industry Commitments3:
• Energy Drinks are not made available in primary nor secondary schools
• Marketing and advertising activities of energy drinks are not directed at children
• No promotional activities are undertaken to encourage excessive consumption of energy drinks
• Labels of energy drinks do not promote the mixing of energy drinks with any other beverage.
“If this still wasn’t enough to prove energy drinks are perfectly safe when consumed responsibly, the European Food Safety Authority’s recent findings state that ‘single doses of caffeine up to 200mg and daily intakes of up to 400mg do not raise safety concerns for adults’.
For adolescents (10-18 years), daily intakes of 3mg per kg of body weight are considered safe. For the average 70kg adolescent, this would mean an amount of just over 200mg of caffeine is perfectly safe. This equates to approximately 2.5 cans (250mL) of energy drink, well within the recommended maximum of two cans per day, as stated on all labels.
“Of course with any beverage, moderation and common sense will lead to responsible consumption. The decision as to when an older teen is ready to consume an energy drink is the same decision as for coffee.
This is a discussion best led by parents around the kitchen table. To help parents and teens with that decision, the industry recently launched a website that helps people determine if the product is right for them – www.energydrinskinformation.org “ Mr Parker concluded.
