The Consumers’ Foundation has warned that most energy drinks contain large amounts of caffeine, which might temporarily boost energy, but are not recommended for children.
The main ingredient of energy drinks is caffeine, which can stimulate the central nervous system to boost energy. Many also have other ingredients such as taurine, sweeteners, vitamin B supplements, herbal extracts and other nutrients, the foundation said, adding that they are mainly consumed by young males or working-class people.
However, there have been reports of people dying because of an excess consumption of energy drinks in other nations, and the effect of caffeine and large amounts of sugar on children or people with health problems is a concern, it said.
Foundation chairman Alan Lu (陸雲) said the foundation analyzed the ingredients of 14 energy drinks and discovered that 13 contained between 5mg and 30mg per 100ml (mg/100ml) of caffeine — in accordance with the law.
However, Cobra energy drink, imported from the Philippines, was found to be mislabeled and contained the synthetic dye tartrazine (better known as Yellow No. 5), which can cause an allergic reaction in some people resulting in asthma or hyperactivity in children, head inspector Ling Young-chien (凌永健) said.
Lu said the European Food Safety Authority recommends that daily caffeine intake from all sources should not exceed 300mg per day, about equal to drinking four 250ml bottles of energy drink.
However, Health Canada recommends a maximum caffeine intake of 85mg a day for children between 10 and 12 years old, Lu said, adding that children can easily exceed the recommended daily caffeine intake by drinking one bottle of energy drink.
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