Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 3

Written Answers. - Stimulant Drinks.

Liam Lawlor

Question:

238 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Health and Children the way in which he will proceed to investigate the effects of stimulant drinks following the recommendations of an inquest jury looking into the premature death of a young sportsman. [27119/00]

John Bruton

Question:

269 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has to undertake research, as recommended by the inquest into the death of a person (details supplied) into the effect of stimulant drinks (details supplied). [26589/00]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Dr. Moffatt)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 269 together.

Stimulant drinks contain three active ingredients, caffeine, glucuronolactone and taurine. In 1999 the European Scientific Committee for Food – SCF – was asked by the European Commission for an opinion on caffeine, taurine and glucuronolactone as constituents of so-called energy drinks. This committee, which carries out risk assessment on foodstuffs in Europe, reached a number of conclusions in its opinion. These were based on an assumed maximum intake level of 0.5 litre of energy drink per day. It concluded that the contribution of energy drinks to overall caffeine intake is not a matter of concern for non-pregnant adults – moderation of caffeine intake, from whatever source, is advisable during pregnancy; substitution of energy drinks for normal beverages by children could lead to increased caffeine levels in this group – this could result in transient behavioural changes such as arousal, irritability, nervousness or anxiety; the interaction of the constituents of energy drinks has not been well studied, nor has the interaction of caffeine and taurine with alcohol particularly under conditions of exercise and consequent dehydration through sweating; and the safety in use of taurine and glucuronolactone as delivered in energy drinks has not been established. Further studies would be required.

This opinion makes it clear that the scientific data were not available to answer all questions about the safety of these energy drinks under all circumstances of usage. I have therefore requested the Food Safety Promotion Board – FSPB – one of the six North-South Implementation Bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement, to commission independent, scien tific research into the effects of these stimulant energy drinks.

Due to the fact that energy drinks are on sale throughout the country, it is important that their safety is evaluated on a national level. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI, which is responsible for the enforcement of food safety law in Ireland, is not aware of any proven links between the consumption of energy drinks and adverse health conditions.

I look forward to receiving the scientific research on these energy drinks from the Food and Safety Promotion Board in due course.