Consumer advice center proposes ban on the sale of energy drinks to minors

Consumer advice center proposes ban on the sale of energy drinks to minors

The Hesse Consumer Center warns urgently about the health risks of energy drinks for children and young people. In its current report, it calls for a ban on the sale of these highly caffeinated drinks to minors and for clearer warnings on the packaging. Energy drinks are particularly popular among young people and are often consumed in schools, during sports and at parties.

A 500 milliliter can can contain up to 160 milligrams of caffeine and around 20 sugar cubes. This amount often exceeds the recommended maximum amount for children and adolescents. The sweetness of the flavors masks the bitter taste of the caffeine, leading many children and teenagers to drink more than is healthy. Excessive caffeine consumption can cause a variety of adverse health effects, such as sleep problems, nervousness, heart palpitations, and high blood pressure.

Caffeine and its effects

The health risks should not be underestimated. According to a consumer advice center report, multiple doses of energy drinks are necessary to cause undesirable effects such as nausea, headaches or even cardiac arrhythmias. The combination of caffeine with alcohol is particularly concerning. This combination, often found at parties, can mask the effects of alcohol and lead to overconsumption, even leading to deaths in some cases. However, no direct causal relationship has been proven.

The European Safety Authority (EFSA) gives recommendations for caffeine intake: On average, adults should not consume more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day, while for children and adolescents the limit is 3 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. For a teenager weighing 50 kilograms, this would already exceed the limit of 150 milligrams of caffeine, which can happen with just one can of energy drink. In fact, 68% of young people in Germany consume energy drinks, with 12% viewing this consumption as very common.

Demands and measures

The consumer advice center is planning workshops and teaching materials to raise students' awareness of the risks associated with energy drinks. In addition, the “Energy Drinks Under the Magnifying Glass” project aims to provide information about sugar content, the effects of caffeine and the manufacturers’ marketing strategies. A ban on the sale of energy drinks with more than 150 milligrams of caffeine per liter to minors is also being called for. In some countries, such as Poland, similar regulations are already in force.

The discussion about the identifying information on the products is also important. The consumer advice center is demanding that warnings be placed larger and clearly visible on the front of the packaging, in particular to point out the risks associated with sport and alcohol. It is time to educate the public, especially the younger generation, about the potential dangers of energy drinks and take adequate protective measures.