Bev Council responds to study into alcohol and energy drinks

The Australian Beverages Council has responded to the government’s announcement that it has commissioned a study into the effects of mixing alcohol and energy drinks.

“As the industry representative for energy drink manufacturers and distributors in Australia, we work closely with Australian regulators and authorities and support evidence-based research,” said Geoff Parker, CEO of the Australian Beverages Council.

Parker cited a University of Utrecht study conducted in November 2012 that studied data from more than 6000 university students. The study found that mixing alcohol with energy drinks did not increase overall alcohol consumption or alcohol-related negative consequences when compared to consuming alcohol alone, Parker said.

“As far as consumption on licensed premises is concerned, energy drinks comprise less than 1% of all beverages sold across Australian bars, and only some of these will be mixed with alcohol,” Parker said.

“Energy drinks are non-alcoholic carbonated beverages that contain the same amount of caffeine as one standard cup of instant coffee.”

A copy of Energy Drinks - An Industry Commitment is available here.