Lok Sabha Question No. 3307 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-12
Subject: Consumption of Aerated and Energy Drinks
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Locket Chatterjee

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3307 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH JULY, 2019

## CONSUMPTION OF AERAT ED AND ENERGY DRINKS

## 3307. MS. LOCKET CHATTERJEE:

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

(a) whether certain cases of death due to consumption of aerated and other energy drinks have been reported from various parts of the country, if so, the details ther of during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT - wise;

(b) whether the Government has taken note of a number of studies which state tha  consumption of aerated and energy drinks leads to various health ailments including cancer, diabetes and other heal thproblems and if so, the details thereof along with the standards and regulations laid down in respect of these drinks in the country; and

(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government for proper compliance of the abov  standards and regulations and spreadawareness about the ill effects of con umption of aerated and energy drinks?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a):  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Authority  of  India  (FSSAI)  has  no information  about  deaths caused due to consumption of aerated and other energy drinks.

(b): Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has informed that they have not carried out any  study  on  consumption  of aerated and  energy  drinks  leading  to  various  hea lth ailments including  cancer,  diabetes  and  other  health  problems.  Excessive  consumption  of  energy caffeinated drinks in a short period of time or when co - ingested with other stimulants such as alcohol may lead to health risks such as arrhythmias etc., however it may be relatively safe when consumed moderately and separately. A review published in Front Public Health, 2014 stated that  the  health  risks  associated  with  energy drinkconsumption  are  primarily  related  to  their caffeine content, but more rese arch is needed that evaluates the long - term effects of consuming common energy drinkingredients.

Further,  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Authority  of  India  (FSSAI)  has  formulated  standards 'carbonated fruit  beverages/fruit  drinks',  'carbonated  water'  and  'caffeinated  beverages'  under sections  2.3.30,  2.10.6(1)  and  2.10.6  (2)  respectively  of  Food  Safety  and  Standards Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.

(c): The implementation and enforcement of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2 006 and Rules and Regulations  framed  thereunder  primarily  rests  with  the  State/UT  Governments.  Regul surveillance, monitoring, inspection and random sampling of food products, are undertake the officials of Food Safety Departments of the respective S tates/ UTs to check that they comply with  the  standards  laid  down  under  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Act,  2006,  and  the  rules regulations made thereunder. In cases where the food samples are found to be non - conforming, recourse is taken to penal provision s under Chapter IX of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

FSSAI is  promoting safe and healthy eating through several initiatives such as Sa Nutritious Food initiatives focussing on social and behavioural change around food safe nutrition at home , school , workplace etc;    Campaigns like ' Aaj Se Thoda Kam' with focus on messaging  for    reduced  daily  intake  of  salt  sugar  and  fat    etc.  It  has  nudged  ind reformulate  products  to  provide  healthier  options.    It  has  also  formulated  a  re gulation  with provision of front - of - packing labelling of High Fat Salt and Sugar (HFSS) Foods, as a measure to create awareness among people. The said regulation has been draft notified on 02.07.20 seeking public comments. In a unique outreach initia tive, a pan -I dia cycle rally, Swasth Bharat Yatra launched on 16 th October 2018, to spread the message of Eat Right, mobilised 21,000+ volunteer cyclists, covered over 20,000 kms and touched 2100+ locations in 100+ days, rea out to 2.5 crore people.