Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 4 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 1

Written Answers. - Stimulant Drinks.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

46 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children when he expects to receive the report of the Food Safety Promotion Board into the safety of stimulant energy drinks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10000/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

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 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; and 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 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 FSPB established a committee of scientific experts, called the Stimulant Drinks Committee. Under the chairmanship of Professor Seán Strain, University of Ulster at Coleraine, this committee has conducted an initial review of the scientific literature and research material currently available on the physiological and psychological effects of energy drinks. The committee has also drawn up a work plan which includes research on the consumption patterns of energy drinks in Ireland, a review of the marketing and advertising in Ireland of energy drinks, and an examination into the need, if any, for further research to be conducted in this area.

The FSPB have undertaken to keep me informed of developments and I look forward to receiving the final report of the stimulant drinks committee towards the end of this year.