Caffeine-laced alcopops could be banned
Do they quicken your pulse? Or get you into a state? Pre-mixed energy drinks with alcohol like “Pulse” have been quite the rage in recent years. Many people have been asking themselves: what’s the point of selling pre-mixed alcoholic energy drinks? Why mix stimulants (guarana, caffeine) and depressants (alcohol)? As these drinks send mixed messages to the nervous system, they could soon be banned. These fizzy drinks are popular with young people and contain alcohol and high levels of caffeine, allowing consumers to drink longer and harder.
Australian media reported in early May 2011 that pressure is mounting on the Australia New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council to prohibit the sale of these drinks and follow similar moves made by some U.S. states.
The Ministerial Council will meet in May 2011to discuss a report from the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy, which has been investigating the health risks of pre-mixed alcoholic energy drinks on young people.
Powerful health groups, including the National Alliance for Action on Alcohol, the Australia Drug Foundation and the Australian Medical Association, want the drinks banned.
The debate over these drinks has been raging for several years. In April 2008 Foster’s announced it would stop producing Cougar Volt, which was an energy drink made with Cougar Bourbon. Its rival Lion Nathan followed suit.
But the beverage group Independent Distillers is still doing them and so are quite a few other manufacturers and distributors.
Our correspondent in Adelaide, John Harvey, reports that both federal and state governments in Australia are showing increasing interest, hence the moves towards a possible ban.
In fact, energy drinks in general have been under review in Australia for over two years and in December 2010 the Food Regulation Standing Committee was asked “to undertake scoping work and provide advice on possible areas for action.” Tighter regulation of energy drinks is considered by most authorities to be vital and new regulations should be closely aligned to those for tobacco, alcohol and prescription medicines.
Concern has also been expressed by some elements of the liquor industry itself, as indicated by a recent report by DrinkWise Australia which recommends that liquor retailers seriously consider “the place and appropriateness of high energy drinks in their business mix.”
Aspects of alcoholic energy drinks that are of concern include the wide range of concentrations of the stimulants (caffeine, guarana, taurine) used and the alcohol contents (6% abv to over 8% abv), significantly more than beer or cider.
In April 2011, the West Australian Government announced it will ban the drinks in pubs and clubs after midnight. Energy/alcohol combinations mixed at the bar or in the home seem to be preferred over pre-mixed cans or bottles by many young drinkers.
