Written question asked by Sharon Hodgson (Labour) on Monday, 2 December 2013, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 4 December 2013. It was answered by Jane Ellison (Conservative) on Monday, 9 December 2013 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Caffeine

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of high-caffeine energy drinks on the short and long-term health of children.

Answer

The safety of high caffeine energy drinks was assessed by the European Scientific Committee on Food in 2003. Their opinion was that high caffeine drinks caused increased excitability; irritability, nervousness or anxiety in some people who drank them, particularly if those people were normally low consumers of caffeine. No long-term health effects were noted.

The Food Standards Agency considers the effects of caffeine are transitory and without permanent health effects and their advice is that children, or other people sensitive to caffeine, should only consume caffeine in moderation.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is in the process of evaluating the safety of caffeine including potential interactions with other ingredients. They are also considering whether it is appropriate to establish recommended intake levels for the general population, or sub groups such as children. EFSA's opinion is expected in the next few months.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 179678; 572 cc91-2W
Session: 2013-14
Subjects: Children Health Caffeine Energy drinks
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk

Caffeine

Secondary information

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