The General Council of Nursing (CGE) has demanded that both the sale and consumption of energy drinks by minors be prohibited throughout the national territory, following the line of restrictions that have already begun to be applied in communities such as Galicia and the Balearic Islands. The organization also demands to reinforce informative campaigns so that citizens better understand the risks that these products pose to health.
"From the nursing profession, we positively value this measure from the Government, although we must be rigorous: there is evidence about the risks of these drinks, but there is still little direct evidence that prohibiting their sale alone can reduce their consumption or improve the health of adolescents in the long term," explains Florentino Pérez Raya, president of the CGE.
In this sense, he emphasizes the need to deploy large awareness campaigns and to continue deepening research on the effects of these drinks, in order to design more precise public health policies that guarantee greater protection for the adolescent population.
"A half-liter can may contain about 160 milligrams of caffeine, an amount that, for a 50-kilogram adolescent, slightly exceeds the daily reference level established by the European Food Safety Authority," points out Héctor Nafría, nurse responsible for the Unit of Scientific Culture and Innovation (UCC+I) of the CGE, who reminds that these measures should not arise from the idea of "alarming or criminalizing young people," but rather the idea of "protecting them" should prevail.
On the other hand, the coordinator of the scientific committee of the Association of Nurses of Nutrition and Dietetics (AdENyD), Marilourdes de Torres, insists on the convenience of modifying the name of these products to stop "confusing them" with "refreshing drinks."
"They are actually stimulant drinks, due to their high concentration of caffeine, sugars, taurine, and other ingredients. They should start being called that to understand their impact on health," she assures. The association advocates for adapting the regulations to specific criteria related to the composition of these drinks.
Debate on caffeine limits and access for minors
The initial proposal from the Ministry of Consumption suggests preventing the sale of any energy drink to minors under 16 years old and extending the ban to 18 years old when the product exceeds 32 milligrams of caffeine per 100 milliliters.
De Torres proposes to go further and sets a threshold that prohibits all drinks containing 15 milligrams of caffeine per 100 milliliters to those under 18 years old. In addition, he suggests limiting the maximum size of containers to 250 milliliters. "If the amount is controlled, but it is a half-liter drink, it doesn't make much sense," he indicates.
The expert adds that its presence in vending machines should be banned, placing them in establishments alongside alcoholic beverages instead of with "refreshing" drinks, and requiring that cans and bottles include clear and visible warnings advising against consumption by minors and pregnant women.