The following letter was submitted to the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal and the Miramichi Leader in response to articles calling for the banning of energy drinks from schools.
Energy Drink Education
The Canadian Beverage Association (CBA) would like to highlight the following facts about energy drinks in response to a recent article about the products:
Energy drinks are not, nor have they ever been, sold in elementary or high schools by our members
- Just as other beverages containing caffeine, energy drinks are safe for consumption and are approved by Health Canada
- In 2011, Health Canada transitioned energy drinks from the Natural Health Products category to Foods
- Health Canada has capped the amount of caffeine, from all sources, allowed in an energy drink, meaning a small single serve energy drink (250 ml or less) has approximately 80 – 100 mg of caffeine, and larger single serve cans are capped at 180 mg of caffeine
- Energy drink labels advise a “maximum number of [container(s)/servings] per day” and contain a statement that the products are not recommended for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or people who are sensitive to caffeine
- Energy drink labels also advise that energy drinks should not be mixed with alcohol
A recent risk assessment conducted on behalf of Health Canada concluded that energy drinks were safe when consumed as indicated.
The CBA and its members encourage Canadians to become more informed on all sources of caffeine and to be aware of the levels of caffeine in the products they are consuming. We would be willing to meet with council members to discuss this issue further.