American Beverage Association Statement on Pediatrics Article on Energy Drinks

When it comes to caffeine, it's important to put the facts in perspective. Most mainstream energy drinks actually contain about half the caffeine of a similar size cup of coffeehouse coffee.

2/17/2011 --- In response to "Health Effects of Energy Drinks on Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults," a literature review published in the journal Pediatrics, Dr. Maureen Storey, senior vice president of science policy for the American Beverage Association, issued the following statement:

"This literature review does nothing more than perpetuate misinformation about energy drinks, their ingredients and the regulatory process.

Like all foods, beverages and supplements sold in the United States, energy drinks and their ingredients are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

When it comes to caffeine, it's important to put the facts in perspective. Most mainstream energy drinks actually contain about half the caffeine of a similar size cup of coffeehouse coffee. In fact, young adults getting coffee from popular coffeehouses are getting about twice as much caffeine as they would from a similar size energy drink.

Importantly, children and teens are not large consumers of energy drinks. According to government data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination (NHANES) Survey, the caffeine consumed from energy drinks for those under the age of 18 is less than the caffeine derived from all other sources including soft drinks, coffee and teas. And total caffeine consumption from energy drinks among pre-teens is nearly zero. In fact, the data show that caffeine consumption from energy drinks for children and teens, on average, is far less than even one can of an energy drink per day.

Further, the review misinterprets the data from a 2007 study by the American Association of Poison Control Centers, which reported more than 5400 caffeine cases from pharmaceutical exposures, not exposure to caffeine from foods or beverages. (Pharmaceutical exposures refer to over-the-counter caffeine pills and other caffeinated medicines.)

What we do know is that caffeine is one of the most thoroughly tested ingredients in the food supply today. It has been deemed safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as well as more than 140 countries around the world. Many of our member companies voluntarily list the amount of caffeine on their products' labels and have provided caffeine content information through their websites and consumer hotlines for years.

ABA members encourage all consumers to stay informed about the products they consume. Reading the nutrition facts panel, as well as other information such as caffeine content and heeding voluntary advisory statements may be particularly important to those who are sensitive to caffeine."