India Removes "Energy" From Energy Drink Label

Energy drinks will be called "caffeinated beverages" and include a safety warning on their labels.

June 26, 2012

NEW DELHI, INDIA - Out of concern for public health, India??s food regulator has stripped energy drinks of their "energy" tag, Mail Online India reports. Henceforth, such drinks will be called "caffeinated beverages" and will be labeled with a safety warning.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India reached its decision after considering the issue for two years. It said the name "energy drinks" is misleading because it gives the false impression that drinking an energy drink is required to boost energy.

The authority is also finalizing regulations for other caffeinated drinks, with a draft regulation placing the limit of caffeine at 320 mg per liter. Additionally, all caffeinated drinks will come with a safety warning specifying, "not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women, persons sensitive to caffeine and sportspersons." The drinks must also include "high caffeine content" on their label and will not be allowed to make energy-boosting or nutritive claims.

The regulation is based on the recommendations of a committee that weighed scientific evidence, regulations in other countries, and data about caffeine consumption.

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