Austrian consumer watchdog VKI warns that brightly marketed caffeinated products, often containing excessive caffeine and sugar, pose significant health risks to children and teenagers, with potential for rapid overconsumption and overlooked warnings.
A consumer watchdog in Austria has warned that a growing range of caffeinated products is being marketed in ways that appeal directly to children and teenagers, while the amount of caffeine in a single serving can be far higher than many families realise. According to the Verein für Konsumenteninformation, or VKI, its market check found drinks and powders that can push young people over recommended limits surprisingly quickly, especially when the products are sold with bright packaging, trendy branding and heavy promotion on social media.
The warning comes against the backdrop of European guidance that says children and adolescents can generally consume up to 3 milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body weight a day without concern. For a child weighing 40 kilograms, that works out at 120 milligrams daily. The VKI’s comparison shows how fast that ceiling can be reached: a 250ml can of an energy drink typically contains about 80 milligrams of caffeine, while some products aimed at younger buyers contain even more. In the VKI’s check, a 330ml can of Nocco Ramonade contained 180 milligrams, while Gönrgy Viva Fundarina and Monster Energy Ultra Strawberry Dreams contained 160 milligrams and 150 milligrams respectively in 500ml cans. The consumer group also found that a caffeine powder marketed by Holy delivered 160 milligrams per prepared 500ml portion.
The concern is not limited to caffeine alone. The VKI said several of the products it reviewed also contained large amounts of sugar or additives that merit caution, including azo dyes. One 500ml can of Gönrgy Viva Fundarina contained 65 grams of sugar, which is roughly equivalent to 17 sugar cubes. The World Health Organisation advises adults to keep free sugar intake below 50 grams a day, and recommends even lower levels for children and teenagers. That combination of caffeine and sugar can make these drinks particularly problematic for young consumers, especially when they are sold as harmless lifestyle products rather than stimulants.
Teresa Bauer, a nutrition scientist at the VKI, said parents often think of caffeine only in relation to coffee. “Many parents think of caffeine first of all in coffee. In fact, the stimulant is now found in a wide range of products that are designed to appeal specifically to young target groups. The risk is that children and adolescents underestimate the amount of caffeine they are consuming and the risks involved, and they are often not used to caffeine,” Bauer said. The VKI added that warning labels are often placed on the back of the pack, where they are easy to miss.
Health authorities outside Austria have drawn similar conclusions. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says energy drink use among teenagers is common, with 30% to 50% reporting that they drink them, and notes risks including dehydration, anxiety, insomnia and heart problems. The National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health says energy drinks can contain 70 to 240 milligrams of caffeine per 16-ounce serving, enough to raise heart rate and blood pressure and, in some cases, trigger heart rhythm disturbances. The VKI is urging parents to discuss the issue early with their children and to treat energy drinks and similar products as products that deserve the same attention as any other source of stimulants.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
