KENYA STANDARD      DKS  1054 -1:2019  
ICS  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy drinks — Specification  
 
Part 1:  
 
Ready -to-drink energy drinks  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
© KEBS 201 9 ………..  Edition , 2019 
 
 
  DKS  1054 -1:2019  
 
ii  © KEBS 2019 — All rights reserved  TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPRES ENTATION  
 
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee:  
 
Kenyatta University  
Coca Cola East Africa Ltd.  
Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI)  
Government Chemist’s Department  
Kenyatta National Hospital  — Department of Nutrition  
Consumer Information Network  
Ministry of Health — Primary Health Care Department  
Kenya Bureau of Standards — Secretariat  
 
 
 
REVISION OF KENYA STANDARDS  
 
In order to keep abreast of progress in industry, Kenya Standards shall be regularly reviewed.  Suggestions 
for improvements to published standards, addressed to the Managing Director, Kenya Bureau of Standards, 
are welcome.  
 
 
 
 
 
© Kenya Bureau of Standards, 201 9 
 
Copyright. Users are reminded that by virtue of Section 25 of the Copyright Act, Cap. 130 of 2001  of the Laws of Kenya, copyright subsists 
in all Kenya Standards and except as provided under Section 25 of this Act, no Kenya Standard produced by Kenya Bureau of Sta ndards 
may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in  any form or transmitted by any means without prior permission in writing from the 
Managing Director.  
  KENYA STANDARD                                        DKS  1054 -1:2019  
 ICS  
© KEBS 2019 — All rights reserved    iii  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy drinks — Specification  
 
Part 1:  
 
Ready -to-drink energy drinks  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
KENYA BUREAU OF STANDARDS (KEBS)  
 
Head Office: P.O. Box 549 74, Nairobi -00200, Tel.: (+254 020) 6 05490, 602350, Fax: (+254 020) 604031  
E-Mail: info@kebs.org, Web:http://www.kebs.org  
 
Coast Region     Lake Region      Rift Valley Region  
P.O. Box 99376, Mombasa -80100   P.O. Box 2949, Kisumu -40100        P.O. Box 2138, Nakuru -20100  
Tel.: (+254  041) 229563, 230939/40  Tel.: (+254 057) 23549, 22396        Tel.: (+254 051) 210553, 210555  
Fax: (+254  041) 229448    Fax: (+254 057) 21814  
 
  DKS  1054 -1:2019  
 
iv  © KEBS 2019 — All rights reserved   
Forword  
 
This Kenya Standard was prepared by the Water Based F lavoured Drinks and Ices Technical Committee under 
the guidance of Standards Project Committee and it is in accordance with the procedures of Kenya Bureau of 
Standards.  
 
This Kenya standard stipulates the essential compositional, quality, micr obiological, contaminants and labeling 
requirements for ready to drink energy drinks defined in the standard.  
 
This standard has been developed because  the importation, local production and c onsumption of energy drinks 
by Kenyans is high and continues to r ise, and thus there is need to regulate the industry and ensure quality 
and safety of the product so as to guarantee health and safety of the consumers.   
 
This standard c ancels and replaces KS 1054 -1:2008 , Energy drinks — Specification Part 1: Ready -to-drink 
energy drinks which has been technically revised.  
 
During the preparation of this standard, reference was made to the following document ; 
 
………………………………..  
 
Acknowledgement is hereby made for their assistance derived from this source.  
  
KENYA STANDA RD       DKS  1054 -1:2019  
 
 
© KEBS 2019 — All rights reserved    1  
Energy drinks — Specification  
 
Part 1:  
 
Ready -to-drink energy drinks  
 
 
 
1 Scope   
 
This Kenya Standard specifies the requirements for ready -to-drink energy drinks.  
 
This standard does not apply to drinks meant for special dietary uses, convalescents and inactive people. It 
also does not apply to cereal malt based energy drinks, electrolytic and sports drinks.  
 
2 Normative references  
 
The following documents are refer red to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes 
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, 
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendme nts) applies.  
 
KS 432, Methods of test for fruit juices and similar products  
 
ISO 4833 -1 specifies a horizontal method for enumeration of microorganisms that are able to grow and form 
colonies in a solid medium after aerobic incubation at 30 °C  
 
ISO 4833 -2 specifies a horizontal method for enumeration of microorganisms that are able to grow and form 
colonies on the surface of a solid medium after aerobic incubation at 30 °C  
 
ISO 7251 gives general guidelines for the detection and enumeration of pr esumptive  Escherichia coli  by 
means of the liquid -medium culture technique and calculation of the most probable number (MPN) after 
incubation at 37 °C, then at 44 °C  
 
ISO 6579 -1 ISO 6579 -1:2017 specifies a horizontal method for the detection of Salmonella  
 
ISO 6888 -1 specifies a horizontal method for the enumeration of coagulase -positive staphylococci in products 
intended for human consumption or feeding of animals, by counting of colonies obtained on a solid medium 
(Baird -Parker medium) after aerobic incub ation at 35  °C or 37  °C 
 
ISO 21527 -1 specifies a horizontal method for the enumeration of viable yeasts and moulds  in products, 
intended for human consumption or feeding of animals, having a water activity greater than 0,95 [eggs, meat, 
dairy products (except milk powder), fruits, vegetables, fresh pastes, etc.], by means of the colony count 
technique at 25 °C plus or  minus 1 °C  
 
ISO 2173 specifies a refractometric method for the determination of the soluble solids in fruit and vegetable 
products  
BS EN 1132  
KS EAS 29 Annex A  
AOAC -994.11 2016  
AOAC -979.08 2016  
KS 319 -1:2006  
AOAC 957.17 2016  
AOAC 981.15 2016  DKS  1054 -1:2019  
 
2  © KEBS 2019 — All rights reserved  AOAC 961.14 2 016 
KS EAS 38, Labelling of pre -packaged foods — General requirements  
KS EAS 39, Hygiene in the food a nd drink manufacturing industry  — Code of practice  
KS 140,  Methods of test for processed fruits and vegetables  
KS EAS 803, specifies requirements for the nutrition labelling of foods  
KS EAS 804, specifies general requirements for claims made on a food irrespective of whether or not the food 
is covered by an individual East African Standard  
KS EAS 805, specifies requirements for the use of nutrition and heal th claims in food labelling and in 
advertising  
 
3 Terms and d efinitions  
 
For the purposes of this document , the following terms and definitions apply.  
 
3.1  
energy drink   
 is a type of  drink  presented as "energy", but distinct from  food energy . They may or may not be  caffeinated 
and/or carbonated  and may also contain sugar or other sweeteners,  herbal extracts , taurine , amino acids  and 
other permitted food additives .  
 
NOTE  Food energy is energy derived from carbohydrates, fats, proteins and other organic compounds . 
 
3.2  
glucose   
is refined D -glucose, obtained by controlled hydrolysis of starch containing materials  
 
3.3  
glucose -based energy drinks   
the aqueous solution of glucose mixed with approved food additives  
 
3.4  
caffeine  
all caffeine present from whatever source in a formulated caffeinated beverage  
 
3.5  
formulated caffeinated  beverage   
is energy drink which contains caffeine and may contain amino acids, vitamins, sugars, other sweeteners and 
other substances, including other foods for the purpose of enhancing energy and mental performance  
 
5 Requirements  
 
5.1 Genera l requirements  
 
5.1.1  Ready -to-drink energy drinks shall be free from contaminants such as dirt, extraneous or suspended 
matter.  
 
5.1.2  (Ready -to-drink energy drinks shall be non -alcoholic carbonated or non -carbonated drink containing 
carbohydrates derivative(s) dissolved in potable water, with or without the addition of the optional ingredients 
provided for in this standard with a minimum  energy density of 190 kj and a maximum of 325 kj/100 mL.)  
 
Note 1   Kilojoule (kJ) is equivalent to 0.239 calories (kcal).  
 
Note 2  For reduced energy drinks, the minimum density of 95kj and a maximum of 162.5 kj/100  ml as per the requirements of CAP 
254 laws of Kenya .  
 
5.1.3  Formulated caffeinated beverage/energy drink in addition to complying with 5.1.2 above, shall contain 
no less than 14.5 mg/100ml and no more than 32 mg/100ml of caffeine.  
 
5.1.4  Ready -to-drink energy drinks shall have acceptable fl avour and odour and shall be free from rancid, 
musty or any other foreign taste characteristic of spoilage.  DKS  1054 -1:2019  
 
© KEBS 2019 — All rights reserved    3  
5.2 Types of energy drinks  
 
Energy drinks shall be either  
 
a) glucose based energy drinks  
b) formulated caffeinated energy drinks with Sugar  
c) formulated caffeinated energy drinks sugar free  
 
5.3 Chemical requirements  
 
5.3.1 Ready -to-drink energy drinks shall comply with the chemical requirements  given in Table 1  when 
tested in accordance with methods listed therein . 
 
 
Table 1 — Chemical  requirements  for ready -to-drink energy drinks  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.3.2 Optional ingredients specified in Table 2 may be used in ready -to-drink energy drinks provided that 
the maximum amounts stipulated shall not be exceeded.  
 
Table 2 — Optional ingredients  for ready -to-drink energy drinks  
 
S/N Substance  Amount , 
100 ml  
 Test metho d 
Min. Max. 
i.  Thiamine   8.0 mg  AOAC 957.17  
ii.  Riboflavin   4.0 mg  AOAC  981.15  
iii.  Niacin   8.0 mg AOAC 961.14  
iv.  Pyridoxine (Vitamin B 6)  2.0 mg   
v.  Vitamin B 12  2 µg  
vi.  Pantothenic acid   2.0 mg   
vii.  Taurine   400.0 mg   S/N Characteristic  Requirement  Test method  
i.  Degree brix (oB) at 20 º C a 10.0 – 20.0 ISO 2173  
ii.  pH  2.6 – 4.0 BSEN 1132  
iii.  Carbon dioxide ,b gas volume 
min 1 Annex A  
iv.  Sulphur dioxide mg/kg, max.  100.0  Pearson’s –Tanner 
method  
v.  (Reducing sugar  contents 
(dextrose equivalent) , % m/m, 
min.)  c 20 KS 319 -1 
vi.  Benzoic acid, mg/kg, max.  200 AOAC -994.11  
vii.  Caffeine ,d mg/100  14.5-32.0 AOAC -979.08  
a does not apply to sugar free or reduced sugar energy drinks .  
b Applies to the carbonated energy drinks.  
c Applies to glucose based energy drinks . 
d Applies to caffeinated energy drinks . 
 DKS  1054 -1:2019  
 
4  © KEBS 2019 — All rights reserved  viii.  Glucuronolactone   240.0 mg   
ix.  Inisitol   20.0 mg  
 
 
6 Food additives  
 
Ready -to-drink e nergy drinks may contain only permitted additives in  accordance with CODEX STAN 192.  
 
 
7 Hygiene  
 
7.1  Ready -to-drink energy drinks shall be prepared and packaged in the premises built and maintained 
under hygienic conditions in accordance with the Public Health Act, Cap. 242, the Food, Drugs and Chemical 
Substances Act, Cap. 254 of the Laws of Kenya and KSEAS 39 .  
 
7.2 Ready -to-drink energy drinks shall comply with the microbiological limits given in Table 3  When tested 
in accordan ce with the methods specified therein . 
 
Table 3 — Microbiological limits  for ready -to-drink energy drinks  
 
S/N Characteristic  Limit  Test method  
i.  Total viable counts per ml , max.  100 ISO 4833 -1 
ii.   E.coli  cfu/ml  Not detected  ISO 7251  
iii.  Salmonella, per 25 ml  Shall be absent  ISO 6579 -1 
iv.  Coagulase Positive Staphylococcus Aureus , 
cfu/ml  Not detected  ISO 6888 -1 
v.  Yeast and moulds cfu/ml, max .  10 ISO 21527 -1 
 
8 Heavy metal contaminants  
 
Ready -to-drink energy drinks  shall comply with the contaminant limits specified in Table 4  when tested in 
accordance with methods specified therein.  
 
Table 4 — Heavy metal contaminant limits  for ready -to-drink energy drinks  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9 Packaging and labelling  
 
9.1 Packaging  
 
9.1.1 Ready -to-drink energy drinks shall be packaged in containers of food grade material that will protect 
the product from chemical, physical and microbiological contaminations.  
 
9.1.2  The container shall be tamper -evident.  
 
9.1.3  The fill of the container sha ll be in accordance with the Weights and Measures Act, Cap. 513 of the 
Laws of Kenya.  
 S/N Contaminant  
ppm, max.  Limit  Test method  
i.  Lead     0.1 ISO 6633  
ii.  Tin 150 ISO 2447  
iii.  Arsenic     0.1 ISO 6634  DKS  1054 -1:2019  
 
© KEBS 2019 — All rights reserved    5 9.2 Labelling  
 
9.2.1  The labelling of ready -to-drink energy drinks shall comply with KS EAS 38, KS  EAS 803, KS  EAS 804, 
KS EAS 805. In addition, the following information shall be legibly and indelibly marked on the container. These 
requirements shall also apply to bulk packages:  
 
i) name of the product as defined in 5.2  
ii) brand name/ trade name;  
iii) name, location and physical address of the manufacturer;  
iv) country of origin;  
v) ingredients in descending order of proportions;  
vi) declaration of the nutritional information;  
vii) date of manufacture;  
viii) expiry date;  
ix) batch/ lot number;  
x) storage condition;  
xi) net volume (in metric units) ; and 
xii) recommended servings per day.  
 
9.2.2  The following additional information shall also be included on the label of ready -to-drink energy drinks 
whose formulation includes caffeine:  
 
a) advisory statement to the effect that  
 
i) the drink contains caffeine  and  
ii) the drink is not recommended for children, expectant/ breastfeeding women and individuals 
sensitive to caffeine.  
 
b) declarations of the average quantities,  per serving size and per 100 ml  of 
 
i) caffeine expressed in milligrams, and  
ii) the substances permitted as optional ingredients.  
 
9.2.3 The quantities of vitamins present in the drink shall not be expressed as a portion or multiple of  
 
i) recommended dietary intakes or  
ii) estimated safe and adequate daily intakes of that vitamin.  
 
9.2.4 where non -nutritive sweetener is used, the following words:  ‘’Contains non nutritive Sweetener for Special 
Dietary use only’’ shall be declared on the label.  
 
 DKS  1054 -1:2019  
 
6  © KEBS 2019 — All rights reserved  Annex  A 
(normative)  
 
Method of measuring gas volume  
A.1 Principle  
 
The method involves snifting  of the top gas. The pressure reading should drop to 2 psi, to remove the air before 
testing for carbon dioxide volume. In so doing correction of altitude as per table should be considered as 
pressure is affected by altitude.  
 
The apparatus consists of pre ssure gauge having a hollow spike with holes in its side. The bottle is inserted 
from the side into the slot provided in the neck of the carbon dioxide tester and is secured in place by tightening 
with a threaded system. The pressure gauge is inserted unti l the needle point touches the crown cork. There 
is a snift valve on the gauge stem which is kept closed until the needle point of the pressure gauge is forced 
through the crown cork. The reading is noted on the gauge.  
 
A.2 Procedure  
 
Clamp the bottle in t he frame of the gas volume tester. Pierce the crown cork but do not shake the bottle. Snift 
off the top gas quickly until the gauge reading drops to zero. Make certain to close the valve instantly the 
needle touches zero in the pressure gauge. Shake the bo ttle vigorously until the gauge gives the reading that 
additional shaking does not change. Record the pressure. Note the temperature and record. Obtain the volume 
of gas from pressure -temperature chart (Carbon dioxide chart)