Written Answers. - Stimulant Drinks.
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Question:
36
Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the investigations which have been ordered into the safety of stimulant energy drinks; when he expects this investigation to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[5967/01]
Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin): I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 79 together.
Stimulant drinks contain three active ingredients, caffeine, glucuronolactone and taurine. In 1999 the European Scientific Committee for Food 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.
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, 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 FSPB has commissioned a review of the current research and levels of knowledge pertaining to the health effects of stimulant drinks; commissioned a survey to determine the consumption patterns of stimulant drinks within population groups – this survey is due to commence in March 2001; commissioned a review of the marketing and advertising strategies used in the sale of stimulant drinks – this review is due to be carried out during March and April 2001; and established an expert committee called the Stimulant Drinks Committee to review the matter.
The SDC anticipates that a detailed report will be published by the end of this year.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland, 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.
