TBS/ AFDC 12(6771 )P3/REV.TZS 838:2018  
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DRAFT TANZANIA STANDARD  
 
Energy drink – Specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANZANIA BUREAU OF STANDARDS  
  
 
TBS/ AFDC 12(6771 )P3/REV.TZS 838:2018  
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Energy drink – Specification  
 
 
0 FOREWORD   
 
Energy drinks are non -alcoholic , caffeinated and carbonated or non -carbonate d 
beverages , made from a combination of ingredients ranging from water, 
carbohydrate derivatives, amino acids, vitamins; including other body metabolic 
enhancer ingredients . 
 
 In light of the need to safeguard the consumer and in order to ensure that 
energ y drinks imported and locally produced are safe and of good quality this 
Tanzania Standard was thus developed.  
 
In the preparation of this Tanzania Standard  considerable  assistance was drawn 
from the manufacturers , importers  and regulatory agencies .  
 
In reporting the results of a test or analysis made in accordance with this 
Tanzania Standard, if the final value observed or calculated is to be rounded off, 
it shall be done in accordance with TZS 4 (see clause 2).  
 
1 SCOPE   
 
This Tanzania standard specifies  requirements , methods of sampling and test for 
energy drinks  for human consumption .  
Note: the standard also covers low calorie drinks .  
 
2   Normative REFERENCES  
 
The following referenced standards  are indispensable for the application of this 
standard . For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated 
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (in cluding any 
amendments) applies : 
 
 
 
Codex Stan 192, F ood additives   
 
TBS/ AFDC 12(6771 )P3/REV.TZS 838:2018  
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 TZS 114, Soft  drink manufacturing units – Code of hygiene . 
TZS 118, Microbiology – General guidance for the enumeration of 
microorganisms – Colony count technique.  
TZS 119, Microbiology - General guidance for the enumeration of coliform – Most 
probable number technique.  
TZS 131, Foodstuffs - Method for yeast and moul d count.  
TZS 132, Edible  common salt – Specification   
TZS 1492, Fruits and Vegetables – Determination of tin content  
TZS 1495, Fruits and Vegetables – Determination of copper content  
TZS 1496 - Fruits and Vegetables – Determination of soluble solids.  
TZS 1 502, Fruits and Vegetables – Determination of Arsenic content  
TZS 268, General atomic absorption spectrophotometric method for determination 
of lead in food stuffs  
TZS 4, Rounding off numerical values  
TZS 471, Methods of sampling and tests for alcoholic b everages  
TZS 538, Packaging and labeling of foods  
TZS 56 Beer - Specification  
TZS 585, Ready to drink (Non – carbonated) beverages – Specification  
TZS 76, Method for determination of arsenic  
TZS59, Water – Distilled quality – Specification  
 
3 TERMS  AND DEFINITIONS   
 
For the purpose of this Tanzania Standard the following terms and definitions 
shall apply:  
 
3.1 energy drink   
non-alcoholic, carbonated or non -carbonated drink  capable of providing mental 
and physical stimulation or performance , containing caffeine  and/or other 
permitted stimulant s, vitamins, phosphatides , minerals  and dextrose, sucrose 
and/or other carbohydrate derivatives, dissolved in potable water with or without 
addition of amino acids and permitted food additives.  
 
3.2 L ow calorie ener gy drink  
 
 energy drink  for reduced or no sugar content in which the degree brix is  2 - 
10.5 
  
3.3 S ugar free energy drink   
 
TBS/ AFDC 12(6771 )P3/REV.TZS 838:2018  
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energy drink in  which sweeteners  (zero sugar)  are used in the diet energy 
beverage  in which the degree brix is up to 2  
 
3.4 simple  carbohydrate related compounds   
Monosaccharides related compounds, including deoxysugars, sugar acids and 
glucuronolactone.  
 
 
4 REQUIREMENTS  
 
4.1 General requirements  
 
4.1.1 Ingredients   
 
Caffeine  as a stimulant  shall be used in the manufacture of energy drinks.    Any 
of the following ingredients may be added.   
i). Simple carbohydrate related compounds  
 
The simple carbohydrate related compounds that may be added to energy drinks 
are glucuronolactone, glucuronic acid and deoxyribose.  
 
ii). Vitamins  
 
Any of  the vitamins B group and C may be added to energy drinks to supplement 
to their usually low levels in most foods and the body.  
   
iii) Permitted amino acids  
Taurine including any of the following essential amino acids may be added in 
energy drinks: lysin e, arginine, threonine, phenylalanine, tryptophan , valine, 
meth ionine, leucine, isoleucine and alanine . 
 
iv)  Permitted food additives   
 Food additives  may be added in energy drinks (see clause 4.3) , non -nutritive 
sweeteners are only permitted for use in l ow calorie sugar free drinks.  
 
v) Salt 
Sodium chloride conforming to TZS 132 (see clause 2) may be added to energy 
drinks.  
 
vi) Permitted  phosphatides    
 
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 As growth factor, the phosphatides that may be added in energy drinks are 
choline, inositol or serine.  
 
4.1.2 Energy density  
 
Energy drink as described in 3.1 shall have an energy  density ranging from  190 
kJ/100 ml  to 320 kJ / 100 ml of which above that level will be considered as extra 
energy drink.    
 
Products with energy density lower than 190kJ are consi dered as low calorie 
energy drinks.  
 
  
4.1.3 Appearance   
The product shall have the characteristic colour, free from suspension, sediments 
or any foreign matter.  
 
4.1.4 Taste and aroma  
The product shall have the characteristic taste and flavour of the drin k, without 
foreign odour and flavour.  
 
4.2 Specific  requirements   
 
When tested, energy drinks shall meet the physical and chemical requirements as 
prescribed  in Table 1.  
 
 
Table 1 – Physical and chemical requirements for energy drinks.  
 
 
S/No   
Characterist ic   
Limit    
Method s of test 
(see clause 2)  
 
1. 
2. 
3. 
 
 
 
 
 
  
pH 
Carbon dioxide, % v/v*  
Total soluble solids (Degree Brix ) 
at 20°C  
- Sugar containing energy 
drink  
- Low calorie drink,  
 
- sugar free drink, max   
2.6 – 4 
2.0 – 4.3 
 
 
>10.5 – 18.0 
 
2 - 10.5 
 
2  
TZS 471  
TZS 471  
 
 
TZS1496  
 
 
 
  
 
TBS/ AFDC 12(6771 )P3/REV.TZS 838:2018  
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4.  
 
Caffeine mg/l  
  
 
200-320 
  
 
Annex A  
 
 * Applicable for carbonated energy drinks  
 
4.3 Food Additives  
The use of food additives  shall be in accordance with Codex Stan 192 . 
 
 
5.  HEAVY AND METALLIC CONTAMINANTS  
Heavy and metallic contaminants in energy drinks when tested shall not exceed 
the levels established in Table 2 . 
 
 
Table2: Heavy and m etallic contaminants for energy drinks  
 
 
S/No   
Characteristic   
Limits (Max)   
Method of test  
(see clause 2)  
 
1. 
2. 
3. 
4.  
Lead (Pb ), mg/l,  
Tin (Sn) , mg/l,  
Copper (Cu) , mg/l,  
Arsenic (As) , mg/l,  
  
0.1 
200 
3 
0.1  
TZS 268  
TZS 1492 
TZS 1495 
TZS 1502  
 
 
 
6 HYGIENE  
 
6.1 Energy drinks shall be manufactured in premises built and maintained under 
hygienic conditions. The handling equip ment like tanks, bottling machine and 
packing equipment shall be clean.  In all cases TZS 114 (see clause 2 ) shall 
apply.  
 
6.2 The product shall be free from coliforms  and pathogenic microorganisms  and 
shall also conform to the microbiological limit s presc ribed in Table3. 
 
  
 
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 Table 3 – Microbiological limits  
 
 
S/No   
Characteristic    
Limits’ (Max)    
Test method   
 (see clause 2)  
 
1. 
 
2. 
 
3.  
Total plate count (cfu/ml),  
 
Coliform count, MPN/ ml 
 
Viable yeast and mould cfu 
/ml,   
103 
 
Absent  
 
102  
TZS 118  
 
TZS 119  
 
TZS 131  
 
 
7 SAMPLING AND TEST  
 
7.1 Sampling  
Sampling shall be done in accordance with clause 7 of TZS  585.   
 
 
7.2 Test  
Tests shall be done in accordance with the test methods  prescribed  under Tables 
1, 2 and 3  of this Tanzania Standard.  
 
8 PACKAGING, MA RKING AND LABELING  
 
8.1 Packaging  
Energy drinks shall be packed in food grade containers  conforming to the 
requirements prescribed in TZS 538 (see clause 2). The container shall be 
properly sealed to protect the product from hazards that may lead the pro duct to 
contamination, deterioration or other safety hazards.  
 
8.1.1  When an energy drink is bottled, crowns and other closures shall be lined 
internally with suitable food grade materials.  
 
8.1.2  The volume filled shall  comply with the weights and measure s regulations . 
 
8.1.3  The package shall have a headsp ace of not more than 10 % of the fill.  
 
8.2 Marking and labeling  
  
 
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 8.2.1 All containers of energy drinks intended for sale or distribution for human 
consumption shall be legibly and indelibly marked or la beled with the following 
information:  
a) Name of the product (Energy Drink  or Low calorie  energy drink , sugar free  
energy  drink ) as indicated in 4.1.2  
b) Brand or trade name of the product, if any;  
c) Name and address of the manufacturer, packer and /or distributor ; 
d) List of ingredients in descending order of proportion in clear;  
e) Nutrition information;  
f) Net content ; 
g) A declaration of common name of any additive used;  
h) Recommendations for use ‘not recommended to drink more than 500ml 
per day’ “haishauriwi kunywa Zaidi  ya ml 500 kwa siku”  
i) Warning statement  ‘not recommended to  children, pregnant women and 
breast feeding mothers’ ; “Haifai kwa matumizi ya watoto, wajawazito na 
wanaonyonyesha”  
j) Country of origin;  
k) Date of manufacture and best before date;  
l) Batch or code numb er  
m) Storage  conditions.  
n)  Declaration of non-nutritive sweeteners  when  used in sugar free drin ks. 
 
NOTE – The product name "Energy drink"  or “low calorie  energy  drink ” or “sugar 
free energy drink” and the warning statement shall feature prominently on the 
label.  
 
8.2.2  The language  of warning statement  on the label shall be “Kiswahili” or 
Kiswahili and English. A second language may be used depending on the 
designated market.  
 
8.3 The containers may also be marked with the TBS s tandards Mark of Quality  
 
 NOT E - The TBS Standards Mark of Quality may be used by the manufactures only under 
licence from TBS. Particulars of Conditions under which the licences are granted may be 
obtained from TBS  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
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 Annex A  
 
Determination of caffeine  
 
A.1 Preparation of sa mple  
 
A.1.1 Carbonated beverages  
 
Decarbonate by agitation or ultrasonic treatment. If free of particulate matter, inject directly.  
 
A.1.2 Beverages containing particulate matter  
 
Filter through millepore filter (0.45 u) discarding the first few and filtra te. Inject filtrate directly.  
 
A.2 Sample  
 
A.2.1  Weigh accurately 2 g – 5 g sample (depending on the expected caffeine content).  
 
A.2.2  Transfer into 250 ml round bottom flask.  
 
A.2.3  Reflux with 100 ml 10 HCI for 1 hour.  
 
A.2.4  Transfer contents of flask into 200 ml volumetric flask with 50 ml of deionised water.  
 
A.2.5  Basify with 25 ml of NH 4OH (50 % v/v).  
 
A.2.6  Make up to the mark with deionised water.  
 
A.2.7  Filter through refilter and micro filter.  
 
A.3 Standard caffeine (100 ppm)      
 
A.3.1  Weigh ac curately 0.0100 g of caffeine.  
 
A.3.2  Dissolve in 30 ml deionised water.  
 
A.3.3  Basify with 5 ml of NH 40H (50).  
 
A.3.4  Make up to 100 ml with deionised water.  
 
A.4 HPLC apparatus  
 
A.4.1 Column for HPLC, type C 18, with spherical particles.  
 
A.4.2 Ultraviole t detector   
 
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A.4.3 Chart recorder  
 
A.5 HPLC conditions  
 
A.5.1 Solvent (mobile phase):  25 % CH 3OH (methanol)  
    75 acetic acid (1 % v/v)  
 
A.5.2 Wavelength   280 nm  
 
 
 
 
A.5.3 Flowrate    0.9 ml/min  
 
A.5.4 Chart speed   0.2 cm/min  
 
A.5.5 Sensitivity               0.1 AUFS  
 
A.5.6 Injection volume   10 µl  
 
 
A.6 Calculation  
 
Caffeine in sample (%w/w)  
 
A sample                     C                 100 
       =          x                     x  V x 106  x                         x 100  
            A standard                    W                                (100 -  M)                   
  
Where        
A sample  is the peak area for sample;  
A standard  is the peak area for standard;  
C  is the concentration of caffeine standard (ppm);  
V  is the total volume of sample;  
W  is the weight of sample (g);  
M   is the moisture of sample (%)