Kathmandu. The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control under the Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene has urged children, pregnant and lactating women, people with diabetes and other diseases and people who are sensitive to caffeine not to consume energy drinks.

The department has made this request by informing consumers, producers, and stakeholders about the safe consumption of energy drinks. The department has also advised people who can consume energy drinks not to consume more than two cans in a day.

According to the department, 17 industries in Nepal are currently producing and distributing energy drinks after obtaining permission from the concerned authorities. According to the label description of the product and the laboratory analysis report, 100 mg of caffeine per can was found to be used. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) have presented a scientific basis for healthy adults to consume no more than 400 mg of caffeine per day from all foods and beverages.

According to the department, the caffeine content in energy drinks produced in Nepal is less than 25 percent of the daily limit.

The Department has urged the people not to use energy drinks as an alternative to water, juice, milk, mustard and other nutritious beverages and not to consume them mixed with other drinks.

Likewise, manufacturers and sellers have been urged to advertise and publicize only after taking necessary permission as per the prevailing laws and to clearly disseminate the warning message and information related to safe consumption mentioned on the label of the product.

The Department has urged the stakeholders to disseminate information on the quality of food items based on scientific facts and international standard, while prioritizing the task of maintaining food hygiene and quality.

According to the Department, action would be taken against those entrepreneurs violating the Food Hygiene and Quality Act, 2081 BS.