ANZFA Recommends That ‘Energy’ Drinks And Cholesterol Lowering Spreads Are Not Suitable For Children

The Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) today invited written submissions from the public for two draft food standards: one for formulated caffeinated beverages, called ‘energy’ drinks by manufacturers, and one for cholesterol reducing table spreads. In both cases ANZFA is proposing that if they are approved by Health Ministers, they would be required to have labels recommending that they are not suitable for children.

ANZFA’s Acting Managing Director, Dr Hugh Baber, said that public consultation was an important part of updating the new Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code which was adopted last week by the council of health ministers.

“Public consultation is an essential part of our food regulation process. ANZFA wants to hear the views of consumer organisations, individuals and industry bodies before recommending changes to the Food Standards Code”, Dr Baber said.

Formulated caffeinated beverages

ANZFA has received an application to allow the manufacture and direct import of formulated caffeinated beverages in Australia. Currently these products, called ‘energy’ drinks by manufacturers, are manufactured in and imported legally from New Zealand.

In the draft standard ANZFA is recommending that these drinks must be labelled as not suitable for children or for people sensitive to caffeine. These drinks would contain 145 to 320 mg/L of caffeine, which means that one can of drink could contain the equivalent of one strong cup of coffee. The amount of caffeine, including the naturally occurring caffeine in guarana would need to be shown on the label. The label would also need to advise that no more than a certain amount should be consumed in a day. This is based on the presence of other substances such as B group vitamins and taurine as well as caffeine.

Earlier this year ANZFA set up an expert working group on caffeine which reported in May 2000 and their findings have been used to develop this draft standard. When the public comment period is concluded ANZFA will be making a final recommendation to Health Ministers for consideration.

Phytosterol esters derived from vegetable oils

ANZFA has also released its first safety assessment of the food ingredient phytosterol esters. The manufacturers claim that this ingredient may be an effective way of lowering total and LDL cholesterol levels in the blood.

This is the first food ingredient to be considered under the Novel Foods Standard which requires a pre-market safety assessment of foods which do not have a history of safe use in Australia and New Zealand. Although the standard came into effect in Australia in December 1999, the prohibition on the sale of novel foods and food ingredients that have not been approved does not become effective until June 2001. This is to allow for the identification of novel foods currently in the market place, to allow time for ANZFA to carry out safety assessments on them and for the Health Ministers to decide whether to approve them or not.

Phytosterols esters are naturally found in low levels in vegetable oils (up to 0.9%), they are structurally related to cholesterol and are natural constituents of the diet. Phytosterols are being added to food products in much higher amounts; for example up to 13.7% phytosterol ester is being added to table spreads. This use is considered novel and an assessment of the safety of this increased concentration is required.

ANZFA has found that phytosterol esters are essentially safe at the levels currently available in table spreads however, there is some evidence from available data that they can reduce the uptake of beta-carotene. Beta-carotene leads to the formation of vitamin A. For this reason ANZFA is recommending that the use of phytosterol esters be restricted to table spreads and that statements must appear on the label stating that it is not suitable for infants, children and pregnant or lactating women who are the more vulnerable groups for vitamin deficiency. The label must also recommend that the product must be consumed in moderation as part of a diet low in saturated fats and that consumers on cholesterol lowering medication should seek medical advice about using the product.

Comments about the draft standard for phytosterol esters close by 10 January 2001 and for formulated caffeinated beverages by 23 February 2001.

You can view these draft standards directly on the ANZFA website at www.foodstandards.gov.au foodstandards.gov.au or www.foodstandards.govt.nz.