Drinks be labelled 'caffeinated': FSSAI

The Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has stated drinks containing a high level of caffeine should be categorised as ‘caffeinated drinks’. It added statutory safety warnings should be clearly stated on the packs of these drinks.

“We are separating these drinks from other soft drink items, creating a new category called caffeinated drinks. Consumers should have such a drink after knowing what it contains,” said K Chandramouli, chairperson, FSSAI. Labelling these drinks as energy drinks was misleading for consumers, he added.

The draft regulation on energy drinks, yet to be published, sets the upper threshold of caffeine in a beverage at 320 mg per litre, or parts per million (ppm). Drinks with caffeine more than that allowed in soft drinks would be labelled as caffeinated drinks, Chandramouli said, adding, “Most energy drinks are likely to come under the caffeinated drinks category.” Currently, up to 145 ppm of caffeine is allowed in soft drinks and aerated sugar water.

According to an FSSAI note, packs of various drinks should contain a statutory safety warning stating, “Not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women, persons sensitive to caffeine and sportspersons.”

“We already declare caffeine on Burn (an energy drink). It says it ‘contains caffeine’,” said a Coca-Cola spokesperson.

PepsiCo said the company did not sell energy drinks in India. Red Bull officials were not available for comment.

In July, the government had approved production of energy drinks by Coca-Cola in India. However, the company is yet to come out with a detailed plan in this regard. According to the company’s website, a 300-ml Burn can contains 0.03 per cent caffeine.

The Indian energy drinks market is estimated at Rs 500 crore and is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 25 per cent, according to a study by Technopak Advisor. The carbonated drinks market is estimated at Rs 6,000 crore, and is growing 10-12 per cent annually.

The energy drink market in India is dominated by Red Bull, Cloud 9 and Power Horse, which are marketed by two Australian companies. In 2008, PepsiCo had launched the SoBe energy drink in India. A company spokesperson, however, said PepsiCo didn’t sell the product anymore.