‘Energy drinks not suitable for children under 16’, says Safefood
Print16 March 2016
A new report by Safefood into Energy Drinks in Ireland has found a massive increase in the number of products on sale* compared with 2002. Worryingly, Safefood also found some brands containing up to 16 teaspoons of sugar.
Males aged 15-24 were the highest consumers** of energy drinks (64%) and over half of those who consumed energy drinks (54%) consumed them at least once a week or more frequently. The study reported some brands cost less than €0.50 cent a can
Introducing the research, Dr Cliodhna Foley-Nolan, director, Human Health & Nutrition, Safefood commented: “It’s really remarkable that these products are so prevalent and together, energy drinks and sports drinks now comprise more than 20% of the soft drinks market*** in Ireland. Consumption can have health consequences because of their sugar and caffeine content. A typical small 250ml can has sugar levels of six teaspoons per can which is equivalent to a full chocolate bar. The caffeine content is high and drinking two small cans and one small espresso of coffee drives an adult’s daily caffeine intake above recommended levels.”
“In addition, the use of energy drinks as a mixer with alcohol among young adults also has consequences in the context of Ireland’s current binge–drinking culture,” she added. “Safefood’s position continues to be that these drinks are not recommended as a mixer for alcoholic beverages but this is now common and part of the binge drinking culture prevalent particularly amongst our 15-24 year olds.”
Dr Foley-Nolan continued “Safefood reiterates that energy drinks are also not suitable for children under 16 or for re-hydration purposes following sport. Furthermore, the marketing of these products should be undertaken without any ambiguity or association with sport or alcohol. An awareness campaign of the potential health issues, targeted specifically at young people, is something that needs to happen.”
*(Source: In February, 2015. 17 brands and 39 separate energy drink products were identified in a safefood survey of six major retail supermarket chains. This compares with 10 energy drink products found in a 2002 survey by safefood.)
**(Source: Safetrak survey of 800 adults on the island of Ireland. Millward Brown/safefood November 2014)
***(Source: Mintel “Innovations in Soft Drinks in Ireland” – November 2015)
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