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SOME ENERGY DRINKS contain up to 17 spoons of sugar and twice as much caffeine as an espresso, according to a new report.
A survey carried out by Safefood found that, overall, energy drinks manufacturers have reduced the sugar content in their products in response to the introduction of the Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax in 2018.
However, there has been an increase in the proportion of drinks being sold in bigger serving sizes.
The tax was introduced in a bid to tackle obesity levels in Ireland.
The research found that the average sugar content per serving of energy drinks has fallen by approximately two teaspoons of sugar – down from 31g in 2015 to 23g in 2019.
Of the three leading energy drink brands – Lucozade, Red Bull and Monster – who have a combined market share of 80%, there was a reduction in the sugar content of the market leader (Lucozade) but no reduction in the sugar content of the other two.
The report notes that before the introduction of the sugar tax, 74% of energy drinks in the Irish market would have been eligible for taxation – that is, containing at least 5g of sugar per 100ml. The 2019 research shows that only 41% are now eligible for taxation.
The snapshot survey was carried out by Safefood in April. It identified an increase in the number of energy drink products for sale (up from 39 to 42) with a large increase in drinks sold in 500ml servings (eight in 2015 versus 16 in 2019), and no change in the number of drinks sold in 250ml servings.
Commenting on the report, Minister for Health Simon Harris welcomed the “significant reduction in sugar content in many products” following the introduction of the sugar tax. However, he said it is “disappointing that some of these manufacturers have not responded appropriately”.
Many of these products are still high in sugar and I strongly urge retailers and manufacturers to consider further measures to reduce the sugar content of their products. I am also very concerned at the trend in increasing container sizes.
Harris called on children, young people and their parents “to be aware that these drinks are still unsuitable for consumption by them”.
The latest market research, carried out by Euromonitor International, shows that between 2015 and 2018 there was a 3.4% increase in the volume of energy drinks sold in off-trade environments – ie supermarkets, convenience stores and discounters – in Ireland, and this now totals 26.7 million litres.
This is the equivalent of every man, woman and child drinking 5.5 litres of energy drinks every year and puts Ireland near the very top of energy drink consumption relative to other countries in the EU.
Marketed to young people
Speaking about the survey’s findings, Dr Marian O’Reilly, Chief Specialist in Nutrition at Safefood, noted that sugary drinks are “linked with poor dental health and excess weight”.
It’s a concern that they are cheap, readily available, in large containers and are marketed in a way that is appealing to young people.
O’Reilly described the fall in the average sugar content of these products as encouraging but said the increase in caffeine content is concerning.
“These drinks are not suitable for children and we would encourage those aged over 16 to consider energy drinks as an occasional drink due to the often-high sugar and caffeine content,” she added.
A number of retailers in Ireland have banned the sale of energy drinks to children under the age of 16. Drink products with caffeine contents greater than 150 mg per litre are required to be labelled ‘high caffeine content’ and the amount of caffeine present must be stated.
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Cardiac arrest in a bottle
@Gavin Tobin: Agreeing with you again Gavin. “Energy drinks” are pure poison.
I can buy a double espresso and put as many sugars as I like in it.
Who’s brave enough to stop me?!
@Kevin O’Connor: the tooth fairy!
@Clark Griswold: Flouride in the water to reduce cavities :) :(
@Kevin O’Connor: The little cup will!
@Kevin O’Connor: Nah, gotta drink espresso straight man. I used to always bung sugar into my coffee but it tastes so much better without
@Kevin O’Connor: probably your heart mate
These really shouldn’t be available to anyone under 18, they are so dangerous.
@Helen O’Neill: totally agree they are poison
@Helen O’Neill: why are they dangerous ….when you are on the go all day a monster gives you a boost …..sugar content gets burned of with activity ….if you sitting in office all day they would do nothing
Really … Who would have thought they wouldn’t be good for you
@Joe Shea: who would have thought putting a tax on them wouldn’t work. Same as adding more tax to fuel this week won’t work.
@eoin carroll: the sugar tax works. You need to tax it enough to raise the price by 20% and this has been shown to produce a 20% reduction in consumption.
If the manufacturers change the recipe to reduce the sugar content then that is also a success. If they increase the volume then this is a separate issue that will need work, but it has been a success. They need to raise the sugar tax a lot.
@Will Rymer: do you thinking removing the tax from water and healthy options would work?
So they get all jumped up about the sweeter flavours in vaping attracting young people and people want it banned but when it comes to a proven fact about adverse health effects of sugar in energy drinks (on top of documented cardiac arrest on football pitches)) attributed to these drinks) it’s only a recommendation that under 16s don’t drink them. Why not slap an under 18s ban on them.
@Brendan Hughes: I was in Lidl one day when a group of children attempted to buy these drinks on the way home from school.The checkout assistant told them to put them back as they were not allowed to sell them to children,so at least some retailers are doing the right thing and being responsible.
@Honeybee: lidl and I think also Aldi has a policy in that regard September last year they announced it. Supervalu dunnes and tesco were asked if they would follow suit but they didn’t see fit to.
Fueling IT departments worldwide. I think ours have resorted to buying their Red Bull in Bulk from the local cash and carry
@Norman Cult: Have to admit.. I don’t understand “energy” drinks.. like.. what’s the point of them? They don’t give any energy boosts in my experience, and I’ve tried a number of them.
Should increase Double Tax & Drink Fizzy-drink high caffeine are unhealthy
Diabetes doubling, Endocronologist Donal O’Shea saying that cals have to be put on everything but Govt. won’t agree to that.
Oh, and that ‘Health protein Bar in your supermarket and Health shop is stacked full of sugar under the various different names.
PLUS ~ 2 Diet Coke drinks per week increases likelihood of Dementia by 70% or more. Stick with the oul Tea and none of your fancy Latte s and expensive coffee.
@Rosie: Colorant e150d is Sulphite Ammonia Caramel. Sulphur Dioxide and Sulphites are classed together as an allergen but if less than 10mg/kg or 10ml/l they do not have to be labelled. SO2 / Sulphites are the only allergen allowed to be hidden as far as I am aware. EFSA are reviewing sulphites because there is a suspicion they are being over-consumed.
@Gavin Tobin: Thanks for this. I am already allergic to many of these additives hence, I read labels. Interesting reference, thanks again.
@Rosie: Most peoples reaction to sulphites are not IgE allergies. I have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome and react to sulphites but i am not allergic to them. All the following ingredients have or may have hidden sulphites.
Glucose Syrup / Fructose Syrup / High Fructose Corn Syrup / Corn Syrup / Cornflour / Maltodextrin / Dextrose / Baking Powder / Gelatine / Maize Starch* / Citric Acid (synthetic), Colourants in food & drink e.g. E150b, E150d
Under EU regulations <10mg/kg or <10ml/L do not have to be labelled.
*Used as an excipient (filler/binder) in many tablets.
Labelled sulphites include Cider, Wine & Sausages.
SO2 also a component of diesel exhaust.
Should these and other drinks be legally obliged to display caffeine content on the packaging, I would have thought yes, especially considering the level some of them are at.
@Eddie O’Neill: They do show caffeine content, usually typically printed something like “32mg caffeine/100ml” for example
@Dan Skelton: Do they, this can of diet coke I’m looking at does not anyway, maybe some others do
@Eddie O’Neill: in other jurisdictions it states “46mg/12fl oz”
Depends on the local laws
It really scares me when I see children drinking this crap, either ban them or restrict to over 18s.
Lethal for your body
People need to stop buying into these constant fear mongering articles over energy drinks. It all depends on the specific person, what that drink, and how much of it they consume. I’ve drank energy drinks since I was 14-15 and I’m 26 and the ONLY thing it’s ever done is I’m just immune to the buzz it gives. But these vary from person to person, while someone could drink them and be fine, another could be completely the opposite. Just don’t over do them I.e. drink more than 2-3 in a day, brush those teeth and you’ll be fine.
@Dan Skelton: It hardly helps the weight/BMI of the person drinking them. Just because you didnt get majorly ill , it doesnt mean they are ok
Just buy the sugar free versions. White Monster only has 15 calories in a can!
@Grand: Love the white Monster! I think it has a much nicer crisp taste tbh. Don’t get me wrong I still love the original green though.
@Grand: Sugar free means they are full of alternative sweeteners!
Monster is great for energy for the gym – although the sugarfree version is a better choice.
Red bull is also great to fend off tiredness and short energy bursts.
These things have their purpose
@thomas patrick: contrary to wide belief, sugar is actually ideal around workouts. Pre Intra and post.
Got me through college
All I know is 7UP tastes as pissy as Sprite now that it uses sweeteners and don’t get me started on the washing up liquid taste of Lucozade.
So bleedin wha?
I very rarely buy any of these but when I do it’s because of the high sugar and caffeine content… At least now I know which ones are a waste of time
There is also 7 teaspoons of sugar in a can of coke. I always found it odd the amount of people who commented on the sugar content of the red bull I drank as they guzzled a can of coke…the same people who would “hilariously” ask if I was on a diet if I drank Diet Coke.
Instead of highering the price why dont they just ban the drinks!! They are so unhealthy and would cost the tax payer less in the long run. Oh and here is a thought lower the price of healthy food!! That will have a bigger impact on people’s health.
Just buy the sugar free versions! White Monster only has 15 calories in a can!
@Grand: Duplicate comment because my phone said there was an issue posting my comment the first time. Unable to delete comments apparently.
@Grand: it’s so annoying when you halfway type a comment and accidentally hit the return key cos it posts anyway
No coke cola?? Fanta??
It’s fake energy. “Energy drink” =half a bag of sugar.
No laws enforced for age limits if there even is a law.
This article will give the health minister ideas to tax the shïtë out of energy drinks.
I remember seeing people drink up to 8 cans a day of Monster during the college day. Unbelievable really
Mountain Dew listed is the sugar free version, the normal one has around 33g of sugar or about 8 spoons of sugar
Monster Zero Ultra has no Sugar. And no Calories. And taste better than Mountain Dew.
What silly bastids actually drink this shit?!
Seems as if half the country is knackered and trying to stay alert. Maybe it’s time to bring in legislation to allow for paid breaks?
Bull semen. Sure whatever you’re havin’ yer self
https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/health-you-asked/it-true-taurine-energy-drinks-extracted-bull-semen
Sure you can get the sugar and calorie free monster problem solved
have your say