Kathmandu. The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control has asked consumers not to consume more than two cans of energy drinks a day. The department has also suggested that children, pregnant and lactating women, patients with diabetes and people sensitive to caffeine should not consume energy drinks.
The department issued a notice on Wednesday (November 11) and said that the amount of caffeine used in energy drinks produced in Nepal is within the safe limit for human consumption.
According to the department, 17 industries have taken permission from the relevant government agencies for the production and distribution of energy drinks in Nepal. According to the label information and laboratory test reports of the products of those industries, they have been found to contain 100 milligrams of caffeine per can. This amount is less than 25 percent of the safe consumption limit mentioned by the department.
An energy drink is a non-alcoholic caffeinated beverage. It contains substances such as caffeine, guarana, taurine, B-vitamins, sugar and water. The department has stated that based on international scientific studies and practice, the total amount of caffeine consumed by healthy adults from all sources, including tea, coffee, chocolate and energy drinks, should not exceed 400 milligrams per day.
The department has requested that people who are able to consume should not drink more than two cans of energy drinks in a day, up to 330 milliliters. Also, it has been requested not to use energy drinks as a substitute for nutritious drinks like water, juice, milk, mohi and not to mix them with other drinks.
The department has instructed the producers and sellers of energy drinks to obtain the necessary permission according to the prevailing laws while advertising and also to broadcast the warning and safe consumption messages mentioned on the product label.
Mentioning that work is being done on the basis of scientific facts and international standards for the purpose of maintaining food hygiene and quality, the department has requested the media to give information based on facts while communicating news about energy drinks.
According to the department, the energy drink manufacturers and sellers who act against the Food Hygiene and Quality Act, 2081 will be prosecuted according to the law.
