Vol. 527 No. 5
100 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will have inquiries made into the possible implications for health of high energy drinks (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28937/00]
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. 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 was not available to answer all questions about the safety of these energy drinks under all circumstances of usage.
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. 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 scientific research into the effects of these stimulant energy drinks.
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 FSPB in due course.
