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FSSAI issues draft regulation on energy drinks for consultation
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Saturday, 08 May, 2010, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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The Food Safety and Standard Authority of India has posted a draft regulation on energy drink for consultation by the industry, the deadline for which is June 7, 2010.
The draft indicates the scientific position regarding energy drinks, the regulatory experience of various countries and the results of the initial risk analysis conducted.
The draft compares the effects of energy drinks to the use of drugs like cocaine. Caffeine is added to energy drinks ostensibly to increase the mental performance. The detrimental effects of caffeine have been identified by several studies. In recent years, a number of different energy drinks have been introduced to provide an energy boost or as dietary supplements. They contain high levels of caffeine as well as other additives, such as taurine, ginseng and carnitine that act as stimulants. Some of the popular brands are Red Bull, Monster, Rockstar, No Fear, Tab Energy, Wired and Fixx.
In August 2008, a study conducted by the Cardiovascular Research Centre at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in Australia found that energy drinks could increase the risk of strokes and heart attacks. According to the research, even consuming one can of the caffeinated energy drink Red Bull could cause the blood to become sticky, increasing the risk of clotting.
In India presently there are no standards for energy drinks under the PFA Act, 1954. The standards of carbonated water under PFA Rules, 1955, specified the maximum limits of caffeine as 200ppm which subsequently on recommendations by CCFS were reduced to 145ppm. Following the reduction in the limit, the FFSAI constituted an expert group to study the global position on caffeine and recommend the limit of caffeine in energy drinks and non-carbonated beverages under food regulations.
The expert group on energy drinks concluded that various issues involved in drawing up a new standard for energy drinks needed to be systematically identified through risk assessment.
Thereafter, the FSSAI has initiated a process of consultation with stakeholders regarding the need for such standard, the components of the standard and the labelling requirements. The risk assessment of each ingredient also will be considered.
The FFSAI said that it would consider several issues before formulating standards for energy drinks. It would monitor that claims on energy drinks are subject to the same current prohibitions and conditions of substantiation such as health claims.
The standards would enable fixation of ingredient levels, caffeine content and address other risk factors and appropriate regulation of the product.. The new standard will be applicable to caffeinated beverages as distinguished from caffeinated soft drinks (which may have up to 145 mg/l caffeine).
It is also proposed that appropriate provisions be made for labelling of the product to discourage its use by the young population and pregnant and lactating women.
Also, another issue of concern for the FSSAI is the name “energy drink” which tends to create an impression that taking energy drink was required to boost energy. A suggested an alternative which has been adopted by Australian New Zealand Food Authority was to call it “caffeinated beverage.”
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