KATHMANDU: The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) under Ministry of Health and Food Safety has urged the children, expectant and lactating mothers, diabetic and those sensitive to caffeine not to consume energy drinks.
Making such an appeal, the Department has sensitized consumers, producers, and stakeholders about the safe consumption of energy drinks. It has suggested that even people who can consume energy drinks should not have more than two cans a day.
According to the Department, currently, 17 industries in Nepal are producing and distributing energy drinks with permission from the relevant authorities.
Based on the product labels and laboratory analysis reports, it was found that each can contains 100 milligrams of caffeine.
Organizations like the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) have presented scientific evidence that healthy adults can consume a total of no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day from all foods and beverages.
The Department has stated that the amount of caffeine used in energy drinks produced in Nepal is less than 25 per cent of the daily limit. It has also requested not to use energy drinks as a substitute for nutritious beverages like water, juice, milk, or buttermilk, and not to mix them with other drinks.
Similarly, producers and sellers have been urged to advertise and promote only after obtaining necessary permissions according to prevailing laws and to clearly communicate the alert messages and safe consumption information mentioned on the product labels.
The Department has also warned penalizing any business acting contrary to the Food Hygiene and Quality Act, 2024 (BS 2081) according to the law.
