Children under 12 must avoid energy drinks: NPIC

The National Poisons Information Centre (NPIC) warned yesterday that the consumption of energy drinks could cause obesity and heart ailments in children under 12 years of age because of the high levels of caffeine and sugar in these drinks.

NPIC Head Dr. Waruna Gunatilleke told Daily Mirror that caffeinated energy drinks increase the heart rate of children leading to an irregular heart-beat.

He said children whose bodies can’t handle the elevated levels of caffeine are turning to caffeinated energy drinks to boost their performances in sports activities and games after being influenced by energy drink manufacturing companies, parents and game coachers.

Dr. Gunatilleke said sports drinks were unnecessary for children and even for adolescents because of their high caffeine content.

“Energy drink-manufacturing companies, parents, principals and others responsible should avoid encouraging children specially those aged below 12 years to consume energy drinks. Their bodies are incapable of undergoing sudden changes. Trainers recommend energy drinks for children to boost their performance at practices while parents are encouraging the children with the intention of obtaining more medals and certificates,” he said said.

Dr. Gunatilleke said it was the duty of the Ministry of Education because it had the power to prevent school managements from getting sponsorship from energy drink-manufacturing companies for sports events.

When asked by Daily Mirror, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said he was unaware of such an issue and emphasized that necessary action would be taken by him after studying the issue thoroughly with the ministry secretary.