In response to “Request for Report on ways and means of preventing children and youth under the age of majority from buying energy drinks” the Canadian Beverage Association issued the following statement:
Statement:
The Canadian Beverage Association believes it is inappropriate for Toronto City Council to look into restricting the sale of a beverage Health Canada and more than 165 other countries deem safe. Last year, following an extensive review, Health Canada reaffirmed that energy drinks were safe for both adults and youth.
Going even further, Health Canada established an upper limit on the amount of caffeine an energy drink can contain. And, unlike many other caffeinated beverages, energy drinks declare their total caffeine content on their labels. An average 250 mL single serve energy drink contains about 80 mg of caffeine while some similar sized cups of filter dripped coffee may have more than twice as much caffeine.
The proposal before Council is a baseless, extreme action that will negatively impact small business owners and others while doing nothing to protect Torontonians.
Additional Background:
On energy drinks:
- Over ninety per cent (90%) of the caffeine in Canadians’ diets comes from coffee, teas and other sources of caffeine in foods. Unfortunately these foods and beverages are not subject to the same demanding requirements as energy drinks. [1]
- Councillor De Baeremaeker is incorrect in his motion’s reference to the Maryland General Assembly. Far from banning energy drink sales, the committee reviewing the bill rejected it by a vote of 22-1.
- CBA members do not market energy drinks to children and do not offer energy drinks to K-12 schools. Click here for the Energy Drinks Marketing Code.
- The Canadian Beverage Association and its members encourage Canadians to become better educated on all sources of caffeine and to be aware of the levels of caffeine in the products they are consuming. Sources of caffeine include coffee, specialty coffee, tea, chocolate, NHPs, colas and other caffeinated soft drinks, energy drinks, over-the-counter medications and more.
[1] http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-003-x/2008004/article/6500821-eng.pdf