Lok Sabha Question No. 431 (STARRED), answered on 2016-12-16
Subject: Energy Drinks
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: PRATHAP SIMHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 431 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 16 TH DECEMBER , 2016 ENERGY DRINKS

## *431. SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there are no standards for energy drinks under PFA Act, 1954 and the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSS propose to formulate standards for energy drinks in the country and if so, the det thereof;
- (c) the details of the Government approved limit of chemicals and other ad etc. being used in soft/energy drinks including the definition of energy drin
- (d) whether the Governm ent has taken note of alleged act of mixing of harmful to chemicals in soft drinks, more than the approved limit by some companies; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and name of chemicals being used and the act by the Government against manu facturers during the last three years and the curr year, year - wise?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

- (a) to ( e):  A statement is laid on the Table of the House

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 431* FOR 16 TH DECEMBER , 2016

(a) to (c): Prevention of Food Adulteration Act,1954 has been repealed and a Act namely, 'The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006' has been enacted by the Central Government. 'Energy Drinks' are carbonated or non - carbonated water based flavoured  drinks  con taining  high  levels  of  nutrients  and  other  ingredients. Additive related provisions of different food products including energy drinks ( Category 14.1.4.1 and 14.1.4.2) have been revised and notified on 5 th September, 2016.  Further,  standards  of  C affeinated  Beverages  have  been      prescribed  under regulation  2.10.6  (2)  of  the  Food  Safety  and  Standards  (Food  Products Standards  and  Food  Additives)  Thirteenth  Amendment  Regulations,  2016.  I provides that i) p roduct shall contain not less than 145 mg and not more than 300 mg of caffeine per litre; ii) the vitamins namely thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin  B12  may  be  added  at  one  Recommended  Daily  Allowance  level  (100% Recommended daily allowance); iii) in respect of ingredients, flavour s, weeteners, food  additives,  contaminants  and  microbiological  requirements  the  product conform  to  the  standards  of  carbonated  water. All  manufactures  of  carbonated beverages/energy drinks are required to comply with the standards prescribed t he Food Safety Standards (FSS) Act, 2006 and Regulations thereunder.

(d) & (e): No specific complaint with reference to mixing of harmful toxic ch in cold drinks have been received by the Food Safety and Standards Authori India. A study conduct ed bythe All India Institute of Hygiene and Public Healt (AIIP&PH) and  the  National  Test  House  (NTH),  Kolkata,  in  which  AIIH&PH collected 4 bottles each of the cold drink brands (Sprite, Coca Cola, Mounta Pepsi  and  7  UP)  and  tested  for  heavy  metal s  antimony,  lead,  chromium  and cadmium  and  DEHP,  indicates  some  presence  of  these  metals.  The  study  tak bottled (packaged) water as the reference point. Since a number of other sub are added while making soft drinks, its composition will be differ ent from packaged drinking water. Regular surveillance, monitoring and sampling of food products undertaken by the States/UTs and where any violation/infringement rules/regulations is noticed, action is initiated as per provisions of the F regulations  thereunder.  S eparate  information  about  such  violation  in  case  o carbonated beverages/energy drinks is not maintained centrally.

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