Proposed actions for the US Food and Drug Administration to implement to minimize adverse effects associated with energy drink consumption.
Energy drink sales are expected to reach $52 billion by 2016. These products, often sold as dietary supplements, typically contain stimulants. The Dietary Supplement Protection Act claims an exemplary public health safety record. However, in 2011 the number of emergency department visits related to consumption of energy drinks exceeded 20,000. Nearly half of these visits involved adverse effects occurring from product misuse. Political, social, economic, practical, and legal factors shape the landscape surrounding this issue. In this policy analysis, we examine 3 options: capping energy drink caffeine levels, creating a public education campaign, and increasing regulatory scrutiny regarding the manufacture and labeling of energy drinks. Increased regulatory scrutiny may be in order, especially in light of wrongful death lawsuits related to caffeine toxicity resulting from energy drink consumption.
Janet Thorlton is with the School of Nursing, College of Health and Human Sciences; David A. Colby is with the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy; and Paige Devine is with the Department of Health and Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
Janet
J
Thorlton
David A
DA
Colby
Paige
P
Devine
D002110:Caffeine / Q000009:adverse effects; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D061215:Energy Drinks; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007881:Legislation, Food; D057766:Policy; D011057:Politics; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration / Q000458:organization & administration
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D002110:Caffeine