§ Nick HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department and its agencies have consulted other Governmental health agencies on the safety of caffeinated energy drinks; and if he will make a statement. [49782]
§ Yvette CooperFollowing concern from a number of European countries over the possible adverse effects of energy drinks, the EU Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) assessed the available scientific information and published an initial opinion on the safety of the ingredients normally associated with these drinks in 1999. That opinion called for additional data, which the SCF is due to assess later this year. The Food Standards Agency liaises with this Committee, as do the Governmental health agencies of other EU countries.
§ Nick HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he plans to issue a statement on the effects of caffeinated energy drinks on children; and if he will make a statement; [49778]
(2) if he plans to issue a statement on the effects of caffeinated energy drinks when combined with alcohol; and if he will make a statement; [49780]
(3) if he plans to issue a statement on the effects of caffeinated energy drinks when consumed prior to exercising; and if he will make a statement. [49779]
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§ Yvette CooperThe safety of high caffeine drinks, often termed "energy drinks" is currently being assessed at European level and new data, including that on possible interactions with alcohol, are being reviewed by the EU Scientific Committee on Food, which is expected to complete its assessment later this year. In the meantime, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has advised that, based on the available evidence, moderate consumption of stimulant drinks by adults is not a cause for concern.
A can of energy drink contains about the same quantity of caffeine as a cup of coffee. The FSA advises that stimulant drinks and other foods containing significant amounts of caffeine should be consumed in moderation by pregnant women and may be unsuitable for those sensitive to the effects of caffeine, including children who are not regular consumers of tea and coffee.
The FSA advises that these drinks are not suitable for use as rehydration agents following sport or other strenuous activities. Moderate consumption of these drinks prior to exercise is not a cause for concern, based on the available evidence.
§ Nick HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what upper safe levels for daily intake of(a) taurine and (b) glucuronolactone have been established by the department; and if he will make a statement. [49781]
§ Yvette CooperThe Department and the Food Standards Agency have not established upper safe levels for these substances. The European Union Scientific Committee on Food concluded in 1999 that further studies would be required in order to be able to establish upper safe levels for daily intake of taurine and glucuronolactone.
§ Nick HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what research his Department and its agencies have conducted into the effects of caffeinated energy drinks consumed prior to exercising, on the human body; what the findings of the research were; and if he will make a statement; [49786]
(2) what research his Department and its agencies have conducted into the effects of combining caffeinated energy drinks with alcohol on the human body; what the findings of the research was were; and if he will make a statement; [49784]
(3) what research his Department and its agencies have conducted into the effects of (a) taurine, (b) glucuronolactone, (c) caffeine and (d) a combination of taurine, glucuronolactone and caffeine, on the human body; what the findings of the research were; and if he will make a statement; [49783]
(4) what research his Department and its agencies have conducted into the effects of caffeine on children; what the findings of the research were; and if he will make a statement. [49785]
§ Yvette CooperThe Food Standards Agency (FSA) has published a call for research on the effects of caffeine consumption during pregnancy. The results of any research commissioned as a result of this call are not expected to be available until 2005. The Department and the FSA have not commissioned any research in the other areas mentioned above.