By Keith Lynch 

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority is investigating the legality of “energy shot” drinks with twice the caffeine of an average cup of coffee.

The food watchdog confirmed yesterday it had received a complaint about the shots and was conducting an “urgent” investigation.

“We’re looking at all the applicable acts to see if it’s compliant or not,” a New Zealand Food Safety Authority spokesman said.

The authority would not say which brands were being investigated.

New Zealand company Demon Drinks began selling Demon Energy Shots in May. Marketed as dietary supplements, the 60 millilitre shots contain 200mg of caffeine, compared with an average cup of coffee which nutritionists say has about 100mg of caffeine.

Energy drinks are normally classified as “formulated caffeinated beverages” and may only contain a maximum of 320mg of caffeine a litre.

Dietary supplements are not subject to the restriction.

Demon Drinks director Andy Smith said cafes sold double espressos, which had similar or higher caffeine levels than the shots.

“There is a major retail coffee chain that has 240mg of caffeine in their serving of coffee,” he said.

Smith said the shots were not marketed as a beverage “these are not taken to quench thirst or refresh as per what a beverage does.

“The Demon Energy shots are designed to stimulate the body and, as such, fall into a different food category, hence why they are classified here as a dietary supplement.”

Christchurch Public Health nutritionist Bronwen King disagreed with the drinks being classified as dietary supplements.

“I think the issue here is so many foods and drinks are getting into the food supply because they are classified as dietary supplements. I think we have to really take stock of what a dietary supplement is and not allow it to be used as a loophole.”

There is no age restriction on the sale of energy shots, but Demon’s packaging does warn they are not recommended for children.

Christchurch mother of four Karen Smith was concerned about the placement of the shots.

“They’re put next to the lollies for young ones to grab. I think a child wouldn’t even know what it does to you,” she said.

“It’s an adult product to me, and it should be stored at the back of the shop and not up front near the lollies.”

King agreed: “This is the equivalent of double a strong cup of coffee. This is something the general public have to think about. Are they happy for their children to be getting the equivalent caffeine kick of two cups of strong coffee in a row?

” And, as it’s a child, it’s going to have more of an effect.”

However, Smith said store owners choose the placement of products.

“In terms of placement in store, they are positioned where the store owner chooses. We are not able to control this. It’s important to point out that virtually every cafe has coffee on the menu with higher levels of caffeine than the Demon Energy shots.”

Source: press.com

By KEITH LYNCH

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority is investigating the legality of
“energy shot” drinks with twice the caffeine of an average cup of coffee.

The food watchdog confirmed yesterday it had received a complaint about the
shots and was conducting an “urgent” investigation.

“We’re looking at all the applicable acts to see if it’s compliant or not,” a
New Zealand Food Safety Authority spokesman said.

The authority would not say which brands were being investigated.

New Zealand company Demon Drinks began selling Demon Energy Shots in May.
Marketed as dietary supplements, the 60 millilitre shots contain 200mg of
caffeine, compared with an average cup of coffee which nutritionists say has
about 100mg of caffeine.

Energy drinks are normally classified as “formulated caffeinated beverages”
and may only contain a maximum of 320mg of caffeine a litre.

Dietary supplements are not subject to the restriction.

Demon Drinks director Andy Smith said cafes sold double espressos, which had
similar or higher caffeine levels than the shots.

 “There is a major retail coffee chain that has 240mg of caffeine in
their serving of coffee,” he said.

Smith said the shots were not marketed as a beverage “these are not taken to
quench thirst or refresh as per what a beverage does.

“The Demon Energy shots are designed to stimulate the body and, as such, fall
into a different food category, hence why they are classified here as a dietary
supplement.”

Christchurch Public Health nutritionist Bronwen King disagreed with the
drinks being classified as dietary supplements.

“I think the issue here is so many foods and drinks are getting into the food
supply because they are classified as dietary supplements. I think we have to
really take stock of what a dietary supplement is and not allow it to be used as
a loophole.”

There is no age restriction on the sale of energy shots, but Demon’s
packaging does warn they are not recommended for children.

Christchurch mother of four Karen Smith was concerned about the placement of
the shots.

“They’re put next to the lollies for young ones to grab. I think a child
wouldn’t even know what it does to you,” she said.

“It’s an adult product to me, and it should be stored at the back of the shop
and not up front near the lollies.”

King agreed: “This is the equivalent of double a strong cup of coffee. This
is something the general public have to think about. Are they happy for their
children to be getting the equivalent caffeine kick of two cups of strong coffee
in a row?

“And, as it’s a child, it’s going to have more of an effect.”

However, Smith said store owners choose the placement of products.

“In terms of placement in store, they are positioned where the store owner
chooses. We are not able to control this. It’s important to point out that
virtually every cafe has coffee on the menu with higher levels of caffeine than
the Demon Energy shots.”

Source: press.com