Objection to Caffeine Health Claims

Summary

The European Parliament opposes a draft regulation that would allow caffeine-related health claims, fearing they will encourage excessive consumption of energy drinks by children and adolescents.
10 07.07.2016
Other
health
public safety
european union
agri-foodstuffs

Key points

  • The Parliament opposes the authorization of health claims stating that caffeine increases alertness and concentration.
  • There is a risk that these claims would encourage the excessive consumption of food, which is prohibited by existing regulations.
  • High sugar and caffeine levels in energy drinks are linked to health issues like sleep problems and behavioral changes in young people.
  • The Parliament considers current restrictions on targeting children to be ineffective due to high existing consumption rates among adolescents.
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