Health Zone: Manufacturers of energy drinks are deceivers – NAFDAC

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control has raised the alarm over the proliferation of energy drinks in the country.

Noting that the influx of the so-called energy beverages in various flavours into the country had become worrisome, NAFDAC posted a message on its official Facebook page, warning consumers of such drinks – presumed to be designed for athletes and individuals who want an extra energy kick – that they were being deceived into taking high levels of a stimulant known as caffeine.

The agency said it had granted licences and marketing authorisation to about 100 brands of energy drinks to operate in the country over the past years.

Arguing that it had become necessary to express its concern for the safety of consumers of such products, NAFDAC said the high level of caffeine present in a large quantity of energy drinks sold in Nigeria are believed to be responsible for adverse health effects on consumers.

“More followed and currently, about 100 brands have been granted marketing authorisation by NAFDAC. The term energy drink is a misnomer, as most energy drinks do not provide energy as in calories.

“Studies show that the calorie levels vary from eight for sugar-free to 120 for drinks with added sugars, but the average soft drink contains 140 calories. This implies that energy drinks do not provide more energy in calories than the ordinary soft drink.”

Worried by the negative effect of some energy drinks on consumers, NAFDAC stated that it had already drafted regulations to compel beverage manufacturers to declare the caffeine content in their drinks.

The agency observed that while individual reactions to caffeine vary, energy drinks stimulating properties could have both favourable and unfavourable consequences on consumers.

NAFDAC also announced the development of its mobile app, which according to it, will contain all its “most accurate” data and information.

“Find the contact directory of all NAFDAC offices nationwide, including locations, emails and phone numbers on our mobile app. Download it from the Google Play store,” the agency wrote in a message posted on Facebook.