Community concern about the sale of high-caffeine drinks to children under 12 years of age: Western Australia population survey results.

In 2001, Food Standards Australia and New Zealand developed a regulatory standard for ‘energy drinks’ (non-alcoholic water-based carbonated beverages containing caffeine, B complex vitamins and other substances), now referred to as formulated caffeinated beverages (FCBs) that was introduced in 2003. Standard 2.6.4 protects public health and safety by: (1) controlling the maximum level of caffeine and other substances used in product formulation; (2) requiring labelling statements advising maximum consumption levels; and (3) warning against consumption by children, pregnant and lactating women and caffeine-sensitive people. During the development of the Standard, there was significant community concern in relation to potential access to caffeinated beverages by children. There was also concern about the potential to carry over fortification from FCBs to other products because FCBs were proposed to be used as ingredients in other beverages commonly consumed by children, such as soft drinks. The Standard aims to limit the availability, appeal, marketing and promotion of FCBs to children, and labels include a statement outlining that authorities recommend limiting caffeine intake. Almost a decade later, in response to continued health concerns, with the increasing number and typesof foodson themarket containing caffeine and the higher amounts of caffeine in foods, the Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council ordered a comprehensive review of the 2003 policy guideline on the addition of caffeine to foods. The impact of mixing energy drinks with alcoholic beverages is also of concern and is being investigated as a separate issue by the Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs. The revised 2013 Australian Dietary Guidelines concluded that ‘Energy drinks may also be high in caffeine and are not suitable for children’.