Energy drinks will soon be regulated in the US

Question

The UK Labor Party released an action plan that aims to prohibit sales of energy drinks with over 150 milligrams of caffeine per liter to kids under 16 year old. Many energy drinks such as Red Bull (111 mg in 12 fl. oz) and Monster (160 mg in 16 fl. oz.) are readily available in stores for kids to buy. Adults are advised to consume up to 400 mg of caffeine a day. However, children have different levels of dosage than adults due to their weight. So, daily amount of caffeine is reduced. Because of the spike in sales of energy drinks, more children are subject to health risks. In some cases, death has occurred due to energy drinks. How likely is it that restrictions like these will follow over to the United States?

Comments

This is true. News sites such as BBC and the conversation both stated that the Labour Party said it would ban children under 16 from purchasing energy drinks in the UK if they win the election. According to https://medlineplus.gov/caffeine.html, caffeine can cause sleep disorders, such as insomnia, high blood pressure, an abnormal heartrate, migraines, and anxiety. Recognizing this, many people do not support American youth consuming energy drinks and seek to get them banned. The American Medical Association is currently supporting a ban on energy drinks for youth under 18, and researching child-resistant packaging. According to a review of 57 studies from BBC, energy drink consumption can harm the mental and physical health of youngsters.

Answer 1

The main claim of this article is that the U.K. wants to ban energy drinks for kids under 16. This a slight exaggeration they don't want to ban all energy drinks for kids under 16. they want to prohibit any drinks that contain over 150 milligrams per liter from being sold to them. The other claim is that many in the U.S. want to do the same this is a broad statement but it does have some truth. In the article, they don't give a source on the "many" that want the U.S. to also ban it. Though this statement is true there are states that are trying to create this law in their state. Specifically in Connecticut, they are trying to pass a law for there to be regulation around energy drinks.(https://www.cga.ct.gov/2024/fc/pdf/2024HB-05261-R000037-FC.PDF)

Comments

I like how you point out how misleading the claim is. And get staright the point to tell us the exact # of mg that is prohibited. Very simple, and traight the point, and factual. I like how You point out their vague use of the word "many" aswell.

Answer 2

The NBC news article explained the UK’s want to ban energy drinks over 150ml for children under 16. Although, they are not the only ones. Legislators in the US want to start creating laws to ban energy drinks for adolescents under 16, with attention being drawn to Connecticut. According to the article, “Democratic State Rep. Liz Linehan has been working since 2019 to pass legislation in her state.” Although there is a desire to regulate energy drinks, they have been unsuccessful through the FDA. According to an article from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, “Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not currently regulate energy drinks in the same category as soda and food, emphasizing that the beverages contain inadequate or no specific warning labels about potential dangers to minors or vulnerable populations” (https://www.chop.edu/about/news-brief/researchers-childrens-hospital-philadelphia-advocate-energy-drink-regulation). Although there is a country-wide drive to regulate energy drinks, especially to those under 16, the National Drug Administration has no desire to regulate. The research from the Children's Hospital claims that “the United States remains the least regulated country and should take immediate steps to protect vulnerable populations.” Therefore, the claim that the US will soon regulate the purchase of energy drinks to its consumers is misleading because, although people support the notion, the government has yet to acknowledge how dangerous energy drinks can be to adolescents. 

Answer 3

To Begin this factcheck makes claims about energy drink bans in the US however starts with information regarding the UK which creates a confusing narrative. In order to be completely transparent and truthful to the audience lets evaluate energy drink use in specifically US in order to answer the claim. As of currently there are zero federal regulations on energy drinks. However health advocates around the US have been filing formal complaints to restrict the sale of caffeinated drinks to children. According to a bill attempting to be passed in the state of Connecticut (https://www.cga.ct.gov/2024/fc/pdf/2024HB-05261-R000037-FC.PDF) Energy drinks are a significant health concern for growing children that can cause many negative health impacts. This bill states that there shall be a ban of all energy drink sales to people under the age of 16 in the state of Connecticut and the department of consumer protection will punish any sales that do not abide to this bill. In March of 2024 this bill has made it past the first round of decisions with a 13:6 Yay and Nay vote system on the floor of local Connecticut congress. This bill does show progress for certain states in the hope of banning energy drink sales to youth however the claim of Nation wide regulation is still a reach. Only 7 of the 50 states have commented on caffeine consumption and addressed possible regulations.

Answer 4

The claim of which the U.S is soon to follow the U.K with regulating energy drinks has been proven to be accurate as the article linked in the original by NBC News, is not only a trusted source itself but also went to provide quoted interviews and information as well as links to every single one of their sources that appear popular, trusted by many, and proved to be legit. One of the quoted articles matches the information NBC News released quoting, "Anyone looking to buy a soft drink with more than 150 mg of caffeine per liter — a limit targeting drinks like Monster and Red Bull — will need to present an ID". Not only is the information proven and available at ease, but it is also on a topic that anyone who is either drinking the energy drinks or in a younger generation surrounded by them at all times, is aware of the issue and can most likely agree to the true claim made.