Germany Calls For Energy Shot Ban
February 4, 2010
By: Johnny Justice
In Germany, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has issued a statement that says while there were no inherent health issues if one energy shot drink per day were used but consumers could not be trusted to follow this advice, and so deemed the drinks unsafe!
“In the case of ‘energy shot’ products, such consumer behaviour (considerably excessive intake) cannot be avoided by manufacturer’s advice for intended use,” the BfR said. “BfR thus recommends that ‘energy shots’ are prohibited from being placed on the market.”
In drawing its conclusion, the agency highlighted the fact the drinks that can contain between 50-200 mg of caffeine and 200-1000 mg taurine per 25-75ml serving, were often consumed by young people in nightclubs – environments where suggested intakes were likely to be ignored. Therefore overconsumption of caffeine and taurine was likely to occur more intensely with energy shots than with 
regular energy drinks that carry no such daily dosage warnings? Doesn’t make sense to me, but who am I to say? I’m Johnny Justice that’s who! I think this is a load of crap!!!
Labels Carry Warnings, Isn’t That Not Enough?
The call for prohibition comes despite label warnings against overconsumption and additional advisories that children, pregnant women and caffeine-sensitive individuals should not consume the products. Other statements warned breast-feeding mothers, diabetics and those with high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease not to consume the products. The energy shot market is little more than five years old after 5-hour energy shot hit the market. That product has quickly notched sales of more than $200m and the market approaching $1 billion in the US! The European market is younger and smaller but global energy drink leader, Red Bull, entered the space in 2009 with a UK debut. It has also launched in the US.
“The Institute assumes that energy shots are sometimes consumed in place of energy drinks and thus consumed – like these – at the discretion of the consumer without quantitative limit,” it said. “It should also be noted that consumers in night clubs may choose to increase their energy shot intake in an attempt to counteract fatigue or to reach a state of arousal. Since physical exertion also increases thirst, there is a risk that the suggested intake levels of energy shots are not adhered to”. The addition of alcohol, which is common the BfR said, was another factor that could, “amplify the adverse effects of caffeine”. “This form of caffeine intake does not allow consumers to anticipate their potency based on taste as traditional stimulant beverages do,” BfR said.
Side Effects Of Caffeine Overconsumption
Nervousness, irritability, insomnia, nausea, headache, tremor, increased anxiety, perceptual disturbances, diuresis, arrhythmia, tachy-cardia, increased respiration rate and gastrointestinal disturbances.
SOURCE: Nutraingredients
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…the Hitler control-freak-mentality perseverates!