Oz state government moves to bar high caffeine drinks marketed as health drinks to children

The government of New South Wales (NSW) in Australia has stepped in to put an end to a legal loop hole that enabled manufacturers to sell drinks with high levels of caffeine to children.

The loophole in the otherwise tough food regulatory laws in Australia was being exploited to sell energy drinks by classifying them as medicine or dietary supplement.

Some drink manufacturers get round regulations by registering products with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) – despite their higher than legally stipulated caffeine levels.

According to NSW primary industries minister Ian Macdonald the government is working closely with the TGA to remove such drinks from the register. He said appropriate action will follow once this happens.

He added that the NSW government believed that this was especially important in protecting the health and well being of younger members of the community who tend to be consumers of such drinks.

According to media reports five children came down with serious complaints including dizziness, nausea and heart palpitations, after consuming high energy caffeine drinks on their way to school.