More about energy drinks and kids (CBC Marketplace)

More about energy drinks and kids

In 2005, Marketplace sent a group of 10-year-olds into convenience stores to see if they could buy Red Bull. They had no trouble purchasing the drink.

By Marketplace Staff Friday, July 30, 2010, 11:07 AM  0 comments

There was a lot of discussion this week about kids and teens consuming caffeinated energy drinks.

The coverage was spurred on by an editorial in the Canadian Medical Association Journal calling for Health Canada to ban promotion of energy drinks to kids and teens and to make labelling clearer.

In Marketplace's 2005 report, "Raging Bull",Marketplace took a look at kids and the energy Red Bull. Here is an excerpt from our online feature:

Can kids buy Red Bull?

One of the warnings on the Red Bull can says the product is "not recommended for children."

But Red Bull is carried in corner stores (it's already a number one seller in 7-11's) and a group of 10-year-old kids we sent out had no problem buying the beverage.

"Lots of kids are buying it but we can't control that," says Red Bull Canada's Jim Bailey.

"If a parent allows their child to consume caffeine or coffee or Coke, I think it's really up to the parent to decide," he adds.

"The retail sale is not part of Health Canada's jurisdiction," says Health Canada's Robin Marles. "It's the manufacturer and their responsibilities."

He adds that Health Canada works "as much as we can to educate the public about appropriate use of products. But people have to take some responsibility themselves."

You can watch the full episode of "Raging Bull" below: http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/blog/2010/07/more-about-energy-drinks-and-kids.html