CBA Responds to New Brunswick CMOH Statement on Energy Drinks

TORONTO, April 1, 2015 /CNW/ - The Canadian Beverage Association (CBA) and its members are concerned that the position statement about energy drinks released today by New Brunswick Chief Medical Officer of Health omits findings from the energy drink risk assessment conducted by Health Canada which concluded that for adults, "…two servings of a typical energy drink per day would not be expected to pose a health risk for the general adult population."

For teens 12-18 years of age the Health Canada assessment also concluded "The caffeine content of one or two servings of a typical energy drink (80mg caffeine/serving) would be unlikely to pose an acute health hazard."

"Today's statement is disappointing because it doesn't tell the full, factual story. It is based on a single day of consultations from 18 months ago. It neither reflects current research, nor what was presented that day," says Jim Goetz, President, Canadian Beverage Association. "To suggest that our members are selling a dangerous product – a product that has been approved by Health Canada and other leading health authorities – is simply misleading." 

While energy drinks do contain caffeine (80-100 mg), a similar sized filter drip coffee (250 ml) contains twice as much caffeine, averaging 179 mg. Contrary to the New Brunswick statement, energy drinks do not contain any other ingredients that are considered "stimulants".

Canadian Beverage Association members support a responsible commitment to the manufacturing, marketing and consumption of their products. CBA members voluntarily adhere to the Energy Drink Marketing Code, which outlines that energy drinks are not to be marketed to children, including the marketing or sale of energy drinks in elementary or secondary schools.

Energy drinks are sold in more than 165 countries around the world and are considered safe by the world's leading health authorities including Health Canada, the US Food & Drug Administration (USFDA), the European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA), and Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).

The Canadian Beverage Association is the national trade association representing the broad spectrum of companies that manufacture and distribute the majority of non-alcoholic refreshment beverages consumed in Canada.

SOURCE Canadian Beverage Association

Carolyn Fell, 416-362-2424, [email protected]