International News: Canada widens recall of energy drinks for too much caffeine

Photo Credit: CBC News

By Celeste Chang: The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) has reported that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is now recalling more than 25 brands from shelves over concerns that the amount of caffeine in the beverages is unsafe for consumers.

The recall began in July after Health Canada ran a risk assessment, despite officials not seeing any reported illnesses. Other concerns included failure to label products in the national languages of English and French.

CBC News reported that the notice read, “High levels of caffeine may have adverse health effects for children, pregnant individuals, breastfeeding individuals, and those sensitive to caffeine,” adding that people shouldn’t serve, sell or drink the products as “The caffeine load can also cause long-term psychological problems, including anxiety, irritability and panic attacks. Health Canada’s recommended maximum caffeine intake for children up to age 18 is 2.5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.”

Energy drinks have attracted criticism for being directly targeted to a younger audience with fruity flavours served in brightly coloured cans and marketed by influencers such as Logan Paul.

In the United States, New York Senator Chuck Schumer contacted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate an influencer-backed energy drink called PRIME. The drink has raised concerns about its caffeine levels and creators seem to have intended to market to children. Over time, high sugar consumption can lead to obesity, diabetes and other diseases that affect the heart in children.

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