Investigating Problems Associated With Consuming Energy Drinks ...
Investigating Problems Associated With Consuming Energy Drinks and Implementing the FDA to Induce Regulations That Would Resolve These Issues
Estefana Rodriguez
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for English 3303: Technical Writing Ms. Kendall Kelly Date November 23, 2009
Table of Contents List of Illustrations…………………………………………………………..iii Abstract……………………………………………………………………...1 Introductions…………………………………………………………………2 History of Energy Drinks…………………………………………………....3 France………………………………………………………………..5 Canada……………………………………………………………….5 Austria……………………………………………………………….6 United States………………………………………………………...6 FDA……………………………………………………………………….…7 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………...8 Appendix A: Sources and Amount of Caffeine…….………………………..9 Appendix B: Student Survey………………………………………………..10 Results: Question 1……………………………………………….....11 Question 2, Question 3……………………………………..12 Bibliography………………………………………………………….....13, 14
List of Illustrations Photography 1: Image of energy drinks…………………………………………...9 Photography 2: Image of Red Bull cans…………………………………………11
iii
Abstract The purpose of this report is to identify the problems associated with consuming energy drinks and address these issues to the FDA so that energy drinks may be regulated and made safer. First the paper discusses how this problem aroused. Next, the paper discusses what is currently being done in other countries to reduce the problems derived from consuming these drinks. After the paper analyzes what regulations are being done in other countries, the focus turns on what the U.S. is doing about this problem and how the FDA may help resolve this problem.
1
Introduction The Food and Drug Administration is under attack about putting regulation on energy dinks. With increasing deaths due to the consumption of energy drinks, there is a race to change the way energy drinks are made and decrease the problems aroused from consuming these drinks.
There are several problems associated with energy drinks. Physical consequences due to consuming these drinks are heart palpitations, heart attacks, headaches and death. Psychological effects due to the highs and lows of caffeine balances in the body from consuming these drinks include changes in personality, anxiety, nervousness, and depression. Other side effects are yet to be discovered and continue to rise. Research is still being done to determine additional side effects.
The objective of the current research was to address the FDA with the proposed energy drinks regulations which would make the consumption of energy drinks safer, in order to reduce both mortality rates and unwanted side effects.
2
History of Energy Drinks Energy drinks began in Europe and Asia and was first introduced in the United States with Red Bull. Energy drinks were first popular with athletes to help performance. But then turned into a public outrage when people became informed about its use by (for) athletes. This created an enormous load of problems as companies began creating new stronger and dangerous variations of energy drinks. The primary ingredient that does the most harm is caffeine. Even alcoholic companies are now producing alcoholic energy drinks. -A dangerous combination that can cause instant death.
3
Energy drinks are popular world wide, and are ever becoming an increasing issue on what products are put into making energy drinks. A few counties currently have regulations on energy drinks to ensure the safety of the public. Although the United States has yet to catch up on regulating energy drinks.
4
France Banned Red Bull in 1996 ending its 12 year ban in 2008. Red Bull was approved after switching Taurine to caffeine, since Taurine has unknown side effects. Since the switch, Red Bull is now allowed in France, but under close surveillance, and warns people of its unknown side effects.
Canada Maximum number of caffeine intake in energy drinks is regulated. Maximum of 2.5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight for children 12 years and under. Pregnant women or any women that could get pregnant, no more than 300 milligrams. For the rest of the population, daily intake must be no more than 400 milligrams, if your in good health. Most energy drinks are classified as supplements or natural health products, which fall under Canada’s Natural Health Product (NHP) regulations because they contain higher levels of ingredients like caffeine than are usually allowed in foods.
5
Austria The country where Red Bull is produced requires several safety regulations on cans of the energy drink. Austria is the only country where Red Bull cans are required to carry a warning on their labels against mixing the drinks with alcohol. Other regulations on energy drinks labels are "this food contains caffeine"; and "this food is not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women and individuals sensitive to caffeine".
United States In the U.S. soft drinks are limited in the amount of caffeine allowed. Unfortunately energy drinks fall into the category of dietary supplement. This makes the amount of caffeine allowed into energy drinks unregulated. 6
Food and Drug Administration Today alcoholic drinks are being mixed with energy drinks and are being sold in supermarkets. A very deadly combination that has already killed several people worldwide. November 13, 2009 the FDA tracked-down 30 manufactures selling these alcoholic drinks and gave them 30 days to provide evidence that the combination of caffeine and alcohol is safe. FDA only approves caffeine for soft drinks, but does not approve its use in energy drinks.
In the future hopefully with sufficient evidence of the dangers caused by energy drinks, the FDA will start requiring warning labels on energy drinks, and regulated what goes into these drinks.
7
Conclusion Despite all the regulations set by various other countries, it would seem practical that the U.S. would want to regulate energy drinks to ensure the safety of its citizens. Why now do we still not have laws passed over how much caffeine is allowed in energy drinks, or warning required on labels? With sufficient evidence, maybe the FDA will reconsider its principles on the safety of energy drinks. It seems like the controversy of energy drinks is a never ending battle in the U.S. The FDA should reconsider setting new regulations on energy drinks to reduce its harmful effects.
8
Appendix A: Sources
Amount of Caffeine
Coffee Plain, brewed 8 oz
135 mg
Instant 8 oz
95 mg
Espresso 1 oz
30-50 mg
Plain, decaffeinated 8 oz
5 mg
Einsten Bros. Espresso 1 oz.
75mg
Tea Green tea 8 oz
25-40 mg
Arizona Iced Tea, green 16 oz.
15 mg
Snapple, Kiwi Teawi 16 oz.
10 mg
Snapple, Peach (and diet version) 16 oz.
42mg
Nestea 12oz.
26 mg
Soft Drinks Coca-Cola Classic 12 oz
34.5 mg
Diet Coke 12 oz
46.5 mg
Dr. Pepper 12 oz
42 mg
Mountain Dew 12 oz
55.5 mg
Pepsi-Cola 12 oz
37.5 mg
Pepsi One 12 oz.
54mg
Sunkist Orange 12 oz
42 mg
Sierra Mist, regular or Free
0 mg
Mug Root Beer, regular or diet 12 oz.
0 mg
Energy Drink Full Throttle, 16 oz
144 mg
Red Bull, 8.5 oz
80 mg
SoBe No Fear 16 oz.
174 mg
Chocolates or Candies Puddings, chocolate, ready-to-eat 4 oz
9 mg
Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Bar
31mg
Hershey’s Kisses 41g (9 pieces)
9mg
Medicine: Over the Counter Excedrin
65 mg
Bayer Select Maximum Strength
65.4 mg
NoDoz 100 mg
32.4 mg
Appendix B Survey The following graphs show statistics obtained by asking 75 college students to take a survey regarding consumption of energy drinks. Depending on whether or not they had consumed energy drinks, they were then asked if they had experienced heart palpitations.
Survey Do you regularly consume energy drinks? Must consume at least one energy drink a month. If replied yes continue to question 2. Yes
No Circle if you have ever experienced due to consuming the energy drink(s)
Heart palpitations Headache Tiredness/ Crash Maximum number of energy drinks consumed in a day 1, 2, 3, or >3.
10
R Results Q Question 1
Regullarly con nsume
NO 44% YES 56%
11
Q Question 2 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50%
NO N
40%
YES Y
30% 20% 10% 0% hear papitations
headache
tiredness/ crassh
Q Question 3
Max. # e energy drinks per d day 4% 19% 1 2 50% 27%
3 >3
Bibliography 1.) Alsene, Deckerts, J., Sand, P., de Wit, H., 2003. Association Between A2a Receptor Gene Polymorphism and Caffeine-Induced Anxiety. Neuropsychoparmacology 2.) Aranda, M., Morlokc, G., 2006. Stimulateneous Determination of Riboflavin, Pyridoxine, Nicotinamide, Caffeine, and Raurine in Energy Drinks by Planar ChromatographyMultiples Detection with Confirmation by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectomerty. J. Chromatogr. 3.) Childs, E., de Whit, H., 2006. Subjective, Behavioral, and Physiological effects of Acute Caffeine in Light, Nondependent Caffeine Users. Psychopharmacology. 4.) Center for Science in the Public Interest. Caffeine Content of Food and Drugs. September 2007. 5.) Cornelia, M.C., El-Sohemy, A., Campos, J., 2007. Genetic Polymorphism of the adenosine A2A Receptor is associated with habitual caffeine consumption. Am. J. Clin. Nutrition. 6.) Crown. Energy Drink Warning. Department of Health NHS Choices Team 2009 7.) FlexNews. France Ends 12-Year Ban on Energy Drink Red Bull. Business News for the Food Industry. 8.) Food and Drug Administration. Substances Generally Recognized as Safe. Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21 Volume 3, Section 182.1181. 9.) Gutierrez, David. Natural News Network Energy Drinks Causing Caffeine Intoxication Feb. 2009 10.) Heaner, Martica. Microsoft Addicted to Energy Drinks: Can drinking Rockstar every day harm my health?< http://health.msn.com/nutrition/articlepage.aspx?cpdocumentid=100151762> 2009. 11.) Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, Safe Use of Energy Drinks: It’s Your Health. Minister of Health,< www.hc-sc.gc.ca>June 2005 12.) Kovacs, Betty. MedicineNet, Inc. 1996-2009 13.) LifepanEnergy Drinks: A Healthy Buzz? http://www.lifespan.org/services/nutrition/articles/energydrinks.htm 2009 14.) Mangano, Frank. Natural NewsHigh Cost of Energy: Study Shows Energy Drinks Can Be Harmful http://www.naturalnews.com/022360_energy_drinks_health_heart_conditions.html 11 Dec. 2007
13
Bibliography Con’t 15.) Newswire Association. Disturbing Trends In Energy Drink Marketing: Clever Branding or Sinister Gateway? 16.) Reissig, C.J., et al., Caffeinated energy drinks—A growing problem. Drug Alcohol Depend (2008),doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2008.08.001 17.) Russia Bans Czech Energy Drinks. ,http://www.nutraingredients.com/Regulation/Russiabans-Czech-energy-drinks . 11-Mar-2005 18.) Seetharaman, Deepa. Rueters. FDA Killing Buzz on Alcohol Energy Drinks 13 Nov. 2009 19.) Perrone, Matthew. The Huffington Post. FDA Questions Safety of Alcoholic Energy Drinks. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/13/fda-questions-safety-ofa_n_357119.html 13 Nov. 2009 20.) Podsada, Janice. The Hartford Courant. FDA Asks Alcoholic Energy Drink Makers To Prove Products' Safety. http://www.courant.com/business/hcenergydrinks.artnov14,0,4978771.story 14 Nov. 2009 21.) Zinczenko, Dave., Goulding, Matt. The Truth About Energy Drinks The Eat This Not That! authors help you separate the science from the sales pitch. Men's Health Microsoft. 2009
14
Estefana Rodriguez
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for English 3303: Technical Writing Ms. Kendall Kelly Date November 23, 2009
Table of Contents List of Illustrations…………………………………………………………..iii Abstract……………………………………………………………………...1 Introductions…………………………………………………………………2 History of Energy Drinks…………………………………………………....3 France………………………………………………………………..5 Canada……………………………………………………………….5 Austria……………………………………………………………….6 United States………………………………………………………...6 FDA……………………………………………………………………….…7 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………...8 Appendix A: Sources and Amount of Caffeine…….………………………..9 Appendix B: Student Survey………………………………………………..10 Results: Question 1……………………………………………….....11 Question 2, Question 3……………………………………..12 Bibliography………………………………………………………….....13, 14
List of Illustrations Photography 1: Image of energy drinks…………………………………………...9 Photography 2: Image of Red Bull cans…………………………………………11
iii
Abstract The purpose of this report is to identify the problems associated with consuming energy drinks and address these issues to the FDA so that energy drinks may be regulated and made safer. First the paper discusses how this problem aroused. Next, the paper discusses what is currently being done in other countries to reduce the problems derived from consuming these drinks. After the paper analyzes what regulations are being done in other countries, the focus turns on what the U.S. is doing about this problem and how the FDA may help resolve this problem.
1
Introduction The Food and Drug Administration is under attack about putting regulation on energy dinks. With increasing deaths due to the consumption of energy drinks, there is a race to change the way energy drinks are made and decrease the problems aroused from consuming these drinks.
There are several problems associated with energy drinks. Physical consequences due to consuming these drinks are heart palpitations, heart attacks, headaches and death. Psychological effects due to the highs and lows of caffeine balances in the body from consuming these drinks include changes in personality, anxiety, nervousness, and depression. Other side effects are yet to be discovered and continue to rise. Research is still being done to determine additional side effects.
The objective of the current research was to address the FDA with the proposed energy drinks regulations which would make the consumption of energy drinks safer, in order to reduce both mortality rates and unwanted side effects.
2
History of Energy Drinks Energy drinks began in Europe and Asia and was first introduced in the United States with Red Bull. Energy drinks were first popular with athletes to help performance. But then turned into a public outrage when people became informed about its use by (for) athletes. This created an enormous load of problems as companies began creating new stronger and dangerous variations of energy drinks. The primary ingredient that does the most harm is caffeine. Even alcoholic companies are now producing alcoholic energy drinks. -A dangerous combination that can cause instant death.
3
Energy drinks are popular world wide, and are ever becoming an increasing issue on what products are put into making energy drinks. A few counties currently have regulations on energy drinks to ensure the safety of the public. Although the United States has yet to catch up on regulating energy drinks.
4
France Banned Red Bull in 1996 ending its 12 year ban in 2008. Red Bull was approved after switching Taurine to caffeine, since Taurine has unknown side effects. Since the switch, Red Bull is now allowed in France, but under close surveillance, and warns people of its unknown side effects.
Canada Maximum number of caffeine intake in energy drinks is regulated. Maximum of 2.5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight for children 12 years and under. Pregnant women or any women that could get pregnant, no more than 300 milligrams. For the rest of the population, daily intake must be no more than 400 milligrams, if your in good health. Most energy drinks are classified as supplements or natural health products, which fall under Canada’s Natural Health Product (NHP) regulations because they contain higher levels of ingredients like caffeine than are usually allowed in foods.
5
Austria The country where Red Bull is produced requires several safety regulations on cans of the energy drink. Austria is the only country where Red Bull cans are required to carry a warning on their labels against mixing the drinks with alcohol. Other regulations on energy drinks labels are "this food contains caffeine"; and "this food is not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women and individuals sensitive to caffeine".
United States In the U.S. soft drinks are limited in the amount of caffeine allowed. Unfortunately energy drinks fall into the category of dietary supplement. This makes the amount of caffeine allowed into energy drinks unregulated. 6
Food and Drug Administration Today alcoholic drinks are being mixed with energy drinks and are being sold in supermarkets. A very deadly combination that has already killed several people worldwide. November 13, 2009 the FDA tracked-down 30 manufactures selling these alcoholic drinks and gave them 30 days to provide evidence that the combination of caffeine and alcohol is safe. FDA only approves caffeine for soft drinks, but does not approve its use in energy drinks.
In the future hopefully with sufficient evidence of the dangers caused by energy drinks, the FDA will start requiring warning labels on energy drinks, and regulated what goes into these drinks.
7
Conclusion Despite all the regulations set by various other countries, it would seem practical that the U.S. would want to regulate energy drinks to ensure the safety of its citizens. Why now do we still not have laws passed over how much caffeine is allowed in energy drinks, or warning required on labels? With sufficient evidence, maybe the FDA will reconsider its principles on the safety of energy drinks. It seems like the controversy of energy drinks is a never ending battle in the U.S. The FDA should reconsider setting new regulations on energy drinks to reduce its harmful effects.
8
Appendix A: Sources
Amount of Caffeine
Coffee Plain, brewed 8 oz
135 mg
Instant 8 oz
95 mg
Espresso 1 oz
30-50 mg
Plain, decaffeinated 8 oz
5 mg
Einsten Bros. Espresso 1 oz.
75mg
Tea Green tea 8 oz
25-40 mg
Arizona Iced Tea, green 16 oz.
15 mg
Snapple, Kiwi Teawi 16 oz.
10 mg
Snapple, Peach (and diet version) 16 oz.
42mg
Nestea 12oz.
26 mg
Soft Drinks Coca-Cola Classic 12 oz
34.5 mg
Diet Coke 12 oz
46.5 mg
Dr. Pepper 12 oz
42 mg
Mountain Dew 12 oz
55.5 mg
Pepsi-Cola 12 oz
37.5 mg
Pepsi One 12 oz.
54mg
Sunkist Orange 12 oz
42 mg
Sierra Mist, regular or Free
0 mg
Mug Root Beer, regular or diet 12 oz.
0 mg
Energy Drink Full Throttle, 16 oz
144 mg
Red Bull, 8.5 oz
80 mg
SoBe No Fear 16 oz.
174 mg
Chocolates or Candies Puddings, chocolate, ready-to-eat 4 oz
9 mg
Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Bar
31mg
Hershey’s Kisses 41g (9 pieces)
9mg
Medicine: Over the Counter Excedrin
65 mg
Bayer Select Maximum Strength
65.4 mg
NoDoz 100 mg
32.4 mg
Appendix B Survey The following graphs show statistics obtained by asking 75 college students to take a survey regarding consumption of energy drinks. Depending on whether or not they had consumed energy drinks, they were then asked if they had experienced heart palpitations.
Survey Do you regularly consume energy drinks? Must consume at least one energy drink a month. If replied yes continue to question 2. Yes
No Circle if you have ever experienced due to consuming the energy drink(s)
Heart palpitations Headache Tiredness/ Crash Maximum number of energy drinks consumed in a day 1, 2, 3, or >3.
10
R Results Q Question 1
Regullarly con nsume
NO 44% YES 56%
11
Q Question 2 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50%
NO N
40%
YES Y
30% 20% 10% 0% hear papitations
headache
tiredness/ crassh
Q Question 3
Max. # e energy drinks per d day 4% 19% 1 2 50% 27%
3 >3
Bibliography 1.) Alsene, Deckerts, J., Sand, P., de Wit, H., 2003. Association Between A2a Receptor Gene Polymorphism and Caffeine-Induced Anxiety. Neuropsychoparmacology 2.) Aranda, M., Morlokc, G., 2006. Stimulateneous Determination of Riboflavin, Pyridoxine, Nicotinamide, Caffeine, and Raurine in Energy Drinks by Planar ChromatographyMultiples Detection with Confirmation by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectomerty. J. Chromatogr. 3.) Childs, E., de Whit, H., 2006. Subjective, Behavioral, and Physiological effects of Acute Caffeine in Light, Nondependent Caffeine Users. Psychopharmacology. 4.) Center for Science in the Public Interest. Caffeine Content of Food and Drugs. September 2007. 5.) Cornelia, M.C., El-Sohemy, A., Campos, J., 2007. Genetic Polymorphism of the adenosine A2A Receptor is associated with habitual caffeine consumption. Am. J. Clin. Nutrition. 6.) Crown. Energy Drink Warning. Department of Health NHS Choices Team 2009 7.) FlexNews. France Ends 12-Year Ban on Energy Drink Red Bull. Business News for the Food Industry. 8.) Food and Drug Administration. Substances Generally Recognized as Safe. Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21 Volume 3, Section 182.1181. 9.) Gutierrez, David. Natural News Network Energy Drinks Causing Caffeine Intoxication Feb. 2009 10.) Heaner, Martica. Microsoft Addicted to Energy Drinks: Can drinking Rockstar every day harm my health?< http://health.msn.com/nutrition/articlepage.aspx?cpdocumentid=100151762> 2009. 11.) Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, Safe Use of Energy Drinks: It’s Your Health. Minister of Health,< www.hc-sc.gc.ca>June 2005 12.) Kovacs, Betty. MedicineNet, Inc. 1996-2009 13.) LifepanEnergy Drinks: A Healthy Buzz? http://www.lifespan.org/services/nutrition/articles/energydrinks.htm 2009 14.) Mangano, Frank. Natural NewsHigh Cost of Energy: Study Shows Energy Drinks Can Be Harmful http://www.naturalnews.com/022360_energy_drinks_health_heart_conditions.html 11 Dec. 2007
13
Bibliography Con’t 15.) Newswire Association. Disturbing Trends In Energy Drink Marketing: Clever Branding or Sinister Gateway? 16.) Reissig, C.J., et al., Caffeinated energy drinks—A growing problem. Drug Alcohol Depend (2008),doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2008.08.001 17.) Russia Bans Czech Energy Drinks. ,http://www.nutraingredients.com/Regulation/Russiabans-Czech-energy-drinks . 11-Mar-2005 18.) Seetharaman, Deepa. Rueters. FDA Killing Buzz on Alcohol Energy Drinks 13 Nov. 2009 19.) Perrone, Matthew. The Huffington Post. FDA Questions Safety of Alcoholic Energy Drinks. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/13/fda-questions-safety-ofa_n_357119.html 13 Nov. 2009 20.) Podsada, Janice. The Hartford Courant. FDA Asks Alcoholic Energy Drink Makers To Prove Products' Safety. http://www.courant.com/business/hcenergydrinks.artnov14,0,4978771.story 14 Nov. 2009 21.) Zinczenko, Dave., Goulding, Matt. The Truth About Energy Drinks The Eat This Not That! authors help you separate the science from the sales pitch. Men's Health Microsoft. 2009
14
