High-caffeine energy drinks not safe for children, watchdog warns

Three popular energy drinks contain more caffeine per serving than the recommended daily dose for children, while two also hold more than the recommended daily intake of sugar for adults.

This has emerged from Consumer Council tests on 19 drinks, prompting a health warning to youngsters and other vulnerable people such as pregnant women.

Three of the drinks tested - Coca-Cola's Relentless Energy, Monster Energy and Monster Khaos Energy and Juice - were found to contain 137mg, 143mg and 146mg of caffeine per serving, respectively, according to the watchdog's report.

Canada, one of the few countries to issue guidelines, says it is unsafe for children under 12 to consume more than 85mg of caffeine a day. No recommended intake is given for adults, because the amount varies according to body size and other factors.

A cup of coffee contains 110mg of caffeine or more, according to a previous Consumer Council report.

"Overconsumption of caffeine is detrimental to children and vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, and has been linked to health issues such as seizures, kidney failure and sometimes fatal conditions," council vice-chairman Philip Leung Kwong-hon said yesterday.

Leung said that while Hong Kong law did not require caffeine content to be specified on ingredient labels, the council would recommend that manufacturers print clearer labels and that stores stock such products in specific sections.