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Canadian health experts say energy drinks have "crossed the line from beverages to drugs" and are calling on the federal government to regulate the sale of them.
An editorial that appeared on the Canadian Medical Association Journal's website Monday says inadequate labelling requirements and a lack of information about caffeine's harmful effects combine with marketing campaigns that appeal to children to exacerbate the problem.
The editorial says many energy drinks are considered food, so they only need to list ingredients and not natural health products or caffeine content.
"People who are inclined to downplay such concerns might argue that caffeine has been safely consumed in foods for centuries," the editorial says.
"However, marketing of energy drinks is distinctly different from that of other highly caffeinated beverages. Energy drinks are often targeted toward children and youth through carefully designed advertising campaigns as well as sponsorship of events such as snowboarding and skateboarding competitions."
It adds, "Children and youth are notorious for making poor health choices.
They can hardly be expected to make appropriate decisions about consuming energy drinks when information on caffeine concentration and appropriate safe amounts is not visible on these products."
The editorial says Red Bull wasn't available in France until 2008 and it was prohibited to be sold in Denmark in 2009.
The authors said at a minimum, all products with caffeine levels exceeding 100 mg should have labels and warnings. They also said advertising aimed at children needs to stop.
"It is time for health authorities around the world to be awakened and alerted to concerns about energy drinks sold to children. Strict regulations are required if business practices and consumer trends are not curbed," the editorial says.
It calls on federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq to "boost her energy toward drafting new legislation in this area."
But Refreshment Canada, a national trade association representing different drink manufacturers, issued a statement Monday afternoon to "correct a number of inaccuracies" in the editorial.
"We strongly agree that energy drinks should be marketed responsibly. In Canada, energy drinks are not sold as foods but as natural health products. They are formulated, labelled and marketed in accordance with Health Canada's natural health products regulation. These energy drinks are intended for adults and clearly indicate on the label that this category of beverage is not recommended for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women and people who are sensitive to caffeine," the statement says. "Contrary to the editorial, energy drink labels also contain additional information on the use, recommended dosage, intended population, any precautions (such as not mixing with alcohol) and lists of medicinal and non-medicinal ingredients, including a clear declaration of caffeine content from all sources."
Refreshment Canada adds, "As with many products, it is important to read the product label and use as directed."
Toronto SUN |
