A number of medical journals have published articles strongly advising against children consuming energy drinks and now the government has introduced legislation cautioning consumers about drinking highly caffeinated soft drinks.
Last month Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi signed an amendment to the country’s soft drinks regulations with regard to “formulated caffeinated beverages” – better known as energy drinks.
Manufacturers and importers have until March to implement the labelling changes.
There is no legislated limit to the amount of caffeine these drinks may contain, but those which contain more than 150mg of caffeine per litre, will have to declare “high caffeine content” as a “clearly legible message” on the front panel on the label.
And the quantity of caffeine – per single serving size, as well as per 100ml – will have to be declared directly under the nutritional label, next to or below the “high caffeine content” declaration or in the list of ingredients.
- Pretoria News