WRITTEN QUESTION No. 381/99 by Alexandros ALAVANOS Consumption of isotonic drinks by children
21. 12. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 370/33 Should it not also be made clear to consumers how these skins and leather products are obtained, by requiring appropriate labelling, for example? Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (29 April 1999) The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the answer given to Written Question E-40/99 by Mrs Maij-Weggen (1) on this subject. There are no Community rules on labelling of fur of cats and dogs and products prepared using such fur. (1) OJ C 348, 3. 12. 1999, p. 14. (1999/C 370/043) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0381/99 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (1 March 1999) Subject: Consumption of isotonic drinks by children According to research carried out by the Union’s Scientific Committee for Food, the consumption of isotonic soft drinks by children causes agitation, anxiety and irritation. Can the Commission provide more information on these findings? What measures will it take to protect children from consuming this type of soft drink? Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (21 April 1999) The scientific committee for food expressed an opinion (1) on caffeine, taurine and glucuronolactone as constituents of so-called energy drinks. It concluded for caffeine ‘that the contribution of energy drinks to the total caffeine intake does not appear to be a matter of concern for adults. For children however, who do not normally consume much tea or coffee, and who might substitute ’energy‘ drinks for cola and other soft drinks, consumption of ’energy‘ drinks might represent an increase in daily caffeine exposure compared with their previous intake. Such intake could result in behavioural changes, such as increased arousal, irritability, nervousness or anxiety. For pregnant women the committee advised moderation of intake from whatever source of caffeine’. As regards the other constituents evaluated (taurine and glucuronolactone), the scientific committee was unable to conclude that the safety in use of these substances in the concentrations in certain so called ‘energy drinks’ has been adequately established. It is primarily the producer, who must make available the scientific data allowing a risk assessment of the safety of these substances in energy drinks. The Commission has therefore informed the Member States of the opinion and asked them to ensure that, in conformity with the obligations under Council Directive 92/ 59/EEC of 29 June 1992 on general product safety (2), products placed on their market are safe. The Commission will continue to follow the scientific evaluation of the substances in question once new relevant information is made available. (1) Accessible via the Internet at: (http://europa. eu. int/comm/dg24/health/sc/scf/out22en. html). (2) OJ L 228, 11. 8. 1992