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 In response to "Health Effects of Energy Drinks on Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults" a literature review published in the journal Pediatrics, the Canadian Beverage Association issues the following statement:

"This literature review does nothing more than spread misinformation about energy drinks, their ingredients and the regulatory process, especially in Canada.  Energy drinks in Canada are Natural Health Products (NHP) and are more tightly regulated than in any other country.

As manufacturers of NHPs, our members follow strict marketing requirements set out by Health Canada.  All energy drinks produced by Canadian Beverage Association members clearly indicate the caffeine content and that they are not to be mixed with alcohol.  There is also a recommended maximum daily dose.

Our members' energy drinks are formulated and recommended for adults only.  They are not recommended for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women or people who are sensitive to caffeine.  This is also called out on the label. 

When speaking about caffeine content it is important to put the facts in perspective. The average energy drink contains between 70 mg and 160 mg of caffeine per container - depending on the size of the container - and that a typical 237 ml (8 oz/small) cup of filter-drip coffee contains approximately 179 mg of caffeine.  When consuming the maximum recommended daily dose for most mainstream energy drinks, caffeine intake would be comparable to two 8 oz cups of coffee.

Further, the review misinterprets the data from a 2007 study by the American Association of Poison Control Centers, which reported more than 5400 caffeine cases from pharmaceutical exposures, not exposure to caffeine from foods or beverages.

What we do know is that caffeine is one of the most thoroughly tested ingredients in the food supply today. It has been deemed safe by Health Canada, as well as more than 140 countries around the world. Our member companies list the amount of caffeine on their products' labels.

Canadian Beverage Association members encourage all consumers to stay informed about the products they consume. Reading the nutrition facts panel, as well as other information such as caffeine content may be particularly important to those who are sensitive to caffeine."

The Canadian Beverage Association is the national trade association representing the broad spectrum of brands and companies that manufacture and distribute the majority of non-alcoholic liquid refreshment beverages consumed in Canada.

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