HIGH CAFFEINE IN ENERGY DRINKS

♤ Energy drinks are in controversy because of its high caffeine content. Most of these brands have upto 320 ppm of caffeine in them. These drinks are marketed as an instant source of energy.

♤ The manufacturers claim that it is the combination of caffeine, taurine, glucoronolactone, vitamins, herbal supplements, and sugar or sweeteners that gives the energy.

♤ According to study reports, it is the sugar that gives the energy rush, the caffeine only gives a ‘feeling’ of energy.

♤ Energy drinks fall under the category of ‘Proprietary foods’ in the Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act of 1954.

♤ An amendment in the PFA act 2009 ensured that caffeine in energy drinks should be capped at 145 ppm, the limit that was set for carbonated beverages.

♤ However, Red Bull managed to get a stay order on the amendment of the PFA act in 2010 and since then the energy drink market is expanding unregulated.

♤ The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is currently making regulations on energy drinks.