Date Published: 12 February 2009

safefood's response to European Food Safety Authority opinion

In response to European Food Safety Authority opinion on two ingredients commonly used in some energy drinks released on Thursday 12th February 2009, safefood wishes to make the following statement:

safefood welcomes the findings of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) report which concludes the consumption of taurine and d-glucuronolactone in so-called “energy drinks”, even for high level consumers, poses no health concern.

The EFSA report has contributed towards addressing the recommendations made by safefood in their report “A Review of the Health Effects of Stimulant Drinks”, namely the determination of a safety margin for these two specific ingredients and the potential for certain interactions between the ingredients themselves when consumed with other substances such as alcohol. The terms of reference of the EFSA assessment were specific to those two ingredients and therefore did not cover the safety of “energy drinks” themselves or the consumption of these drinks with alcohol, drugs or when used with exercise.

safefood wishes to reiterate its advice to consumers that stimulant drinks are not suitable for rehydration purposes following sport, that caution should be exercised in the consumption of stimulant drinks with alcohol, and that marketing of these products should be undertaken without ambiguity or association with sport or alcohol.

About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

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