Who are Energy Drinks For?

Energy drinks are functional beverages designed for busy and active people who need a boost to get through their busy day.

Even though energy drinks contain only as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, energy drink manufactures do not recommend that energy drinks be consumed by children and include this message on their labels.

Similarly, energy drink labels advise that they are not recommended for pregnant or lactating women, or people who are sensitive to caffeine.

Energy Drinks and Alcohol

Energy drink manufacturers do not promote the mixing of energy drinks with any other beverage on their labels. In addition, energy drink regulations provide recommendations for maximum daily intake of energy drinks, regardless of whether it has been mixed with any other beverage(s). This information is clearly stated on the label on the bottle or can, for consumer safety. The impact of caffeine and alcohol has been the subject of numerous peer reviewed scientific studies. Many findings have indicated that mixing energy drinks and moderate amounts of alcohol has no adverse effects and that energy drinks do not mask the feeling of being drunk.

According to FSANZ, there is no evidence to suggest energy consumption improves reaction time, concentration, or motor control. For this reason, energy drinks, or other caffeinated beverages should not be consumed to remedy intoxication.

(Source: FSANZ)

Alcohol and Energy Drinks Turning Point Drug and Alcohol Centre research

To better understand any potential for harm when young people drink alcohol and energy drinks together, NSW Health commissioned independent research.

This was a major research consortium led by the Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre Victoria, involving numerous universities, field research and surveys.

In December 2013 a 200 page report concluded that there was insufficient evidence to guide government intervention regarding energy drinks and alcohol. In addition, the report notes that “No evidence exists for the effectiveness of policies implemented to reduce access to Alcohol and Energy Drinks, such as the Western Australian restrictions” (which restrict the mixing of alcohol and energy drinks after midnight in some bars and hotels).

In May 2015, the European Food Safety Authority — The European Union’s leading food regulator — released its landmark opinion on caffeine. It supported the work of the NSW Government and said:

“Alcohol consumption at doses up to about 0.65g/kg bw, leading to a blood alcohol content of about 0.08% [In Australia the drink driving blood alcohol content limit is 0.05%] would not affect the safety of single doses of caffeine up to 200mg. Up to these levels of intake, caffeine is unlikely to mask the subjective perception of alcohol intoxication.”

For a copy of the NSW report and for more information on the science regarding energy drinks and alcohol check out the resources page.

Energy Drinks Safety

Energy drinks are safe. The Australian energy drinks market is the most regulated in the world. All ingredients used in energy drinks are approved for use by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).

When it comes to consuming energy drinks, it’s all about moderation. Australian energy drink manufacturers include a daily maximum usage of 500mls on their labels. This can be 2 x 250mL cans or 1 x 500mL can (or bottle equivalent).

The vitamins and micro-nutrients in energy drinks, such as B12, B6 or niacin are commonly found in many foods, such as meat, poultry, cereals, eggs, cheese, green and leafy vegetables, nuts and fruits, amongst many others.

B vitamins have been known to contribute to the metabolism of carbohydrates, reducing fatigue and tiredness. Some, like pantothenic acid, contribute to mental performance.

In addition, in 2009 the European Food Safety Authority concluded that both Taurine and D-glucurono-lactone posed no risk to human health.

Energy Drink Regulation

Energy drinks are an approved category, so they are legally considered “food” and must comply with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. The Food Standards Code has specific rules for permitted ingredients and labelling.

Energy drinks have their own special food standard within the Food Standards Code, Food Standard 2.6.4 — Formulated Caffeinated Beverages. The standard requires that energy drinks contain no more than 32mg of caffeine per 100mL and are clearly labelled with advisory statements. Labelling of energy drinks are at the forefront of consumer information with regards to other caffeine containing products and Australia’s labelling is some of the strictest in the world.

Other caffeinated beverages, like espresso coffee from a cafe, or instant coffee, are not regulated by Food Standard 2.6.4.

The Food Standards Code is legally binding. Compliance with the Food Standards Code is mandatory for all energy drink manufacturers and if they breach the code, they may be fined or prosecuted by the government enforcement agency.

Energy Drink Industry Commitments

The energy drinks industry supports a responsible commitment to the manufacture, marketing and consumption of its products. These commitments include:

• Energy drinks are not made available in primary nor secondary schools.
• Marketing and advertising activities of energy drinks are not directed at children.
• No promotional activities are undertaken that encourage excessive consumption of energy drinks.
• Labels of energy drinks do not promote the mixing of energy drinks with any other beverage.

Caffeine in Energy Drinks

Caffeine is an ingredient in many beverages, and has been consumed by people for hundreds of years. At low doses (20-200mg), people may experience positive effects such as increased energy, alertness, motivation and concentration.

By law, energy drinks must contain no more than 32mg of caffeine per 100mL. In practice, this means a standard 250mL can of energy drink has no more than 80mg which is equivalent to a 250mL cup of instant coffee.

Energy drinks are not recommended for children and this advice is clearly labelled on every energy drink. Similarly, energy drinks are labelled with advice that these products are not recommended for pregnant or lactating women, or people who are sensitive to caffeine. Labelling of energy drinks are at the forefront of consumer information with regards to other caffeine containing products and Australia’s labelling is some of the strictest in the world.

Food item	Caffeine content
Espresso	145 mg caffeine per 50 mL cup
Formulated Caffeinated Beverages or ‘Energy’ Drinks	80 mg/250 mL can
Instant coffee (1 teaspoon/cup)	80 mg/250 mL cup
Black Tea	50 mg/220 mL cup
Cola	36.4 mg/375 mL can
Milk Chocolate	10 mg/50g bar

Reference: FSANZ, http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumer/generalissues/Pages/Caffeine.aspx

Caffeine Consumption in Australia

Australians are renowned for their love of coffee and, as such, caffeine is also widely consumed in coffee, tea, and cola beverages. The main source of caffeine consumption in Australia is from coffee with Australians consuming over 5 billion cups of coffee per year.

The consumer group CHOICE recently reported that: there has been a 65% increase in the amount of coffee consumed by Australians in the past 10 years; and a 250ml cappucino or long black contains 253mg and 217mg of caffeine respectively. This compares with a 250ml energy drink that contains 80mg of caffeine.

Both males and females over the age of 30 consumed more caffeine than younger age groups on average, with an approximate daily intake of 150 mg and more than 170 mg for age groups 31-50 and 51-70 years. This equates to about four cups of black tea, or one and a half espresso shots of coffee or almost 1.5 energy drinks (Source: ABS).

In May 2015, the European Food Safety Authority released its landmark opinion on caffeine. It concluded that:

• Daily caffeine intakes from all sources up to 400 mg per day do not raise safety concerns for adults in the general population — that’s five 250ml energy drinks; and
• Single doses of caffeine up to 200 mg — that’s more than two 250ml energy drinks — are unlikely to induce clinically relevant changes in blood pressure, myocardial blood flow, hydration status or body temperature.