This is reported by RBK-Ukraine referencing project №13024. Reports are also coming from Kontrakty.UA.
The project proposes a ban on the sale of energy drinks containing high levels of stimulants to individuals under the age of 18, along with other restrictions related to the sales process of these beverages.
Additionally, during the production of energy drinks, the addition of ingredients (substances) that stimulate the central nervous system will be prohibited in quantities exceeding the established maximum allowable concentration levels in energy drinks.
Justification of the Project
As noted by the authors of the project, energy drinks have become a common type of food product and are actively consumed by various groups of people.
Due to their chemical composition (among the ingredients found in energy drinks are caffeine, taurine, guarana, B vitamins, plant derivatives, and other additives), energy drinks have the ability to stimulate the human central nervous system, are easily absorbed by the body, and temporarily create feelings of alertness, improved mood, increased activity, and productivity.
“At the same time, these sensations occur due to the mobilization of the body's reserves, and constant consumption of stimulatory drinks can lead to the depletion of these reserves, subsequently causing increased fatigue, sleep disturbances, nervous disorders, and depression,” states the explanatory note.
The authors cite research data that allegedly prove the harm of energy drinks.
According to the project's authors, countries such as Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and others have already banned the sale of energy drinks containing elevated levels of caffeine and other stimulants to children.
Provisions of the Bill
The bill proposes amendments to the law "On the Basic Principles and Requirements for Food Safety and Quality."
The law will introduce new terms:
- "energy drink - carbonated or non-carbonated beverage (excluding tea, coffee, and beverages based on coffee and tea extracts, whose names include the word 'coffee' or 'tea'), containing caffeine from any source and/or other ingredients (substances) that stimulate the central nervous system, the list of which and the maximum allowable level of their content (concentration) in energy drinks is determined by the central executive authority responsible for forming and implementing state policy in the field of health protection";
- "energy drink with high levels of stimulants - an energy drink containing caffeine and/or another specifically identified ingredient (substance) classified by the central executive authority responsible for forming and implementing state policy in the field of health protection as a stimulant for the central nervous system, exceeding 150 milligrams per 1 liter."
Recall that last year, the Ministry of Finance planned to introduce excise taxes on sugary drinks, which would replenish the budget by 3.3 billion hryvnias. However, this idea was later abandoned.