Australian Beverages Council responds to AMA calls for caffeine restrictions

The Australian Beverages Council, on behalf of the country’s energy drinks industry, has responded to the Australian Medical Association’s (AMA’s) calls for greater regulations on energy drinks.

“Energy drinks in Australia are one of the most heavily regulated of all world markets. Our caffeine limits, labelling warning and advisory statements lead the rest of the world for our manufacturers to provide a perfectly safe product for consumers,” said the Council’s CEO, Geoff Parker.

In Australia, energy drink manufacturers and distributors are required to comply with Standard 2.6.4 (Formulated Caffeinated Beverages), which sets the maximum levels of ingredients - including caffeine - for energy drinks.

The Standard also imposes mandatory advisory statements that these products are not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women or people who are sensitive to caffeine. The law requires all energy drinks to include an advisory statement that recommends a maximum consumption of 500 mL of energy drinks per day.

“The Australian regulations restrict the amount of caffeine in energy drinks to 80 mg for a standard 250 mL can - that’s equivalent to a common cup of coffee,” said Parker. “Like many categories, packaging innovation is important and any product that is clearly intended for multiple serves should ensure the consumer has all the information on pack to consume responsibly. Like many leading brands of food and drink, multiple serve packs are common.

“As an industry peak body, we have reached out to the AMA on numerous occasions to offer to meet with them to discuss their concerns. If the AMA are wanting restrictions on caffeine limits in energy drinks then surely coffee, tea, flavoured milk and chocolate should also be looked at - all sources of caffeine in the diet.”

To read the industry’s Energy Drinks - An Industry Commitment, click here.