#Definition of taurine in energy drinks code#

#Definition of taurine in energy drinks code#

The BSDA Code of Practice outlines methods for responsible marketing, adopted by the energy drinks industry since 2010. The revised code states the industry’s view that high-caffeine content soft drinks are not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women, and specifies that this information should be clearly stated on the label of such drinks.įurthermore, the code sets out marketing rules with regard to under-16s: No marketing communications concerning high-caffeine soft drinks will be placed in any media with an audience of which more than 25% is under 16 years of age. In light of the new labelling regulations which came into force in December 2014 this voluntary code was updated again in April 2015, and then once again April 2018. It also states that high caffeine soft drinks should not be promoted or marketed to those aged under 16. The code states that high caffeine content soft drinks are not recommended for children, and specifies that this information should be clearly stated on the label of such drinks. The BSDA Code of Practice for high caffeine content soft drinks relates to soft drinks that contain more than 150mg of caffeine per litre and covers all BSDA members. The BSDA operates a voluntary Code of Practice to support consumers and parents who want to make informed choices. EFSA also notes that the main contributors to daily caffeine intake in all age groups are tea, coffee, chocolate and other non-alcoholic beverages. EFSA states that for children and adolescents single doses of caffeine up to 3mg/kg body weight (bw) and daily intakes of caffeine up to 3mg/kg (bw) do not raise safety concerns. The latest European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) report was regarding caffeine intake from all products and confirmed that caffeine intake from energy drinks is negligible in children and less than 11% in adolescents. Whilst caffeine and energy drinks have been deemed safe by health authorities around the world, it is recommended that children consume less caffeine from all sources due to their lower body weight. All energy drink labels disclose the exact caffeine content in the product.Ĭan energy drinks be consumed by children? The EFSA opinion confirms the safety of daily caffeine intakes of up to 3mg per kg of body weight for children and adolescents (3-18 years) and up to 400mg for adults.

What is the recommended level of caffeine we can consume? The EFSA caffeine factsheet can be found here how long a cup of tea is steeped, but the table below shows typical amounts. The exact amount in any food or drink will depend on the recipe and method, e.g. How much caffeine is there in a caffeinated beverage?Ĭaffeine is an ingredient naturally found in plants, seeds and fruits worldwide such as coffee beans, tea leaves and cocoa beans and is found in many popular foods and drinks. tea, coffee, chocolate and other non-alcoholic beverages. The 2015 European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Opinion confirms the safety of energy drinks and their ingredients and therefore does not provide any scientific justification to treat energy drinks differently than the main contributors to daily caffeine intake in all age groups, i.e. This approach has been adopted universally across the EU and UK.

Not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women” followed by a quantitative indication of the product’s caffeine content. Therefore, the labelling of energy drinks must include the following: “High caffeine content. The industry encompasses manufacturers and distributors, as well as those who sell soft drinks to the public in pubs, restaurants, supermarkets and shops.Īt EU level, the Consumer Information Regulation (EU) 1169/2011 which came into force in December 2014 contains provisions regarding the labelling of beverages with an added caffeine content of more than 150 mg/litre. The energy drinks sector makes an important contribution to the UK economy, and makes up approximately 5% of the total soft drinks market. For example, taurine occurs naturally in seafood or poultry, while caffeine is a natural constituent of coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa beans, kola nuts, guarana and yerba mate. Many of the ingredients commonly used in energy drinks can be found naturally in other foodstuffs. Coffee is the largest contributor of caffeine to the average UK diet.Įnergy drinks have been enjoyed safely by millions of people around the world for more than 30 years.BSDA members have a voluntary Code of Practice agreeing not to market or promote energy drinks to under 16s.Energy drinks and their ingredients have been deemed safe by regulatory authorities around the world.