Toronto Board of Health to study ways to control sale of energy drinks to young people
Toronto’s Board of Health will be considering the possibility of banning the sale of energy drinks to children and youth – over the objection of beverage industry and convenience store lobbyists who say the evidence in favour of a ban is too scant.
Toronto’s Board of Health will be considering the possibility of banning the sale of energy drinks to children and youth – over the objection of beverage industry and convenience store lobbyists who say the evidence in favour of a ban is too scant.
The board voted unanimously to have a study conducted on ways to police the sale of the highly-caffeinated beverages, on the advice of the Ontario Medical Association.
The beverages – Red Bull being one of them – contain a higher level of caffeine than regular colas but far less than brewed coffee.
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Jim Goetz, president of the Canadian Beverage Association, made that point as he addressed the Monday, Nov. 17, meeting of the Toronto Board of
Health, and also attempted to argue that Health Canada had given energy drinks the OK when it came to children over the age of two.
"The problem is that this motion (to request a report) was based on ignoring Health Canada’s formal position," said Goetz.
In fact, however, Health Canada has only given a Temporary Market Authorization, which acknowledged that there are questions about the
The board dismissed Goetz’ concerns, and sided with Scarborough Centre Councillor Glenn De Baereamaeker, who requested the report along with board of
health chair and St. Paul’s Councillor Joe Mihevc earlier this year.
De Baeremaeker said the most serious problem with youth having access to the beverages comes when they decide to mix it with alcohol.
"I’ve been to many bush parties in my day," said De Baeremaeker. "Young people sometimes take actions that are not in their best
interests."
He pointed out that it’s more difficult to tell how inebriated one is if the alcohol’s consumed along with a highly-caffeinated energy
drink. And he pointed out that young people aren’t choosing to mix their beer with a cup of Earl Grey tea.
Parkdale-High Park Councillor Gord Perks pointed out that in fact energy drinks are heavily marketed to young people.
"When was the last time you saw a funky and fun ad for coffee?" asked Perks.
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