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Are Sharjah cafeterias mixing energy drinks with juices?

Sharjah - There is a ban on mixing of energy drinks with other beverages and selling them to children aged less than 16 years.

Many cafeterias and restaurants in Sharjah are allegedly mixing energy drinks with fresh juices (as well as fizzy drinks) and selling them to minors.

Sharjah Municipality has cracked down on these outlets and eateries after it was swamped by complaints from parents. Most of these are in residential areas.

A Sharjah Municipality official said that there's already a ban on mixing of energy drinks with other beverages and selling them to children aged less than 16 years.

He added all cafeterias, shops and restaurants are aware about this ban, which was imposed two years back. They were issued notices and circulars to inform them about the decision, he pointed out.

Despite continuous inspections targeting groceries and cafeterias in the neighbourhoods and school zones, there are some who are violating the regulations. "The groceries and supermarket chains can continue to sell energy drinks, but keep them in a separate place and not sell them to children less than 16 years old," he warned.

The official explained that energy drinks contain a high percentage of caffeine, sugar and artificial colours which should not be consumed in large quantity. Energy drinks are detrimental for young people and heart patients, he added.

The official said that the health department implements the ban on selling energy drinks to minors based on the regulation of Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (Esma).

He added the Esma regulation stipulates the following limitations per 100 grams of a product: caffeine should not exceed 32mg; taurine 400mg; anistol 20mg; and gluconolactone 240mg. It also states that the product must be registered with the health authority before being distributed in the market and be free from banned drugs and hormones. Any added ingredients must be approved by the health authorities concerned, he said.

The official stressed that the packaging information should clearly display the following warning: 'This product should not be consumed by pregnant women, lactating mothers and children less than 16 years old, athletes during exercise, and people who are allergic to caffeine, and those suffering from heart problems."

An official at Al Madina Supermarket in Al Qasimia said that they don't sell energy drinks to minors, but Arab children mostly demand it. They think it gives them energy to play football or other sports and also helps them to stay awake all night to play electronic games, he added.

Dr Muram Hasabo, a pediatrician, said the quantity of caffeine in energy drinks could result in elevated heart rates, hypertension, anxiety, headaches and interrupted sleep. "Minors should not have energy drinks, while adolescents should not consume more than 100mg of caffeine a day," she cautioned.

Awatif Hamid, a parent of a 13-year-old boy, said that her son always asks her for money to buy juice from cafeterias, even though she tries to convince him to take home-made ones. "One day, I incidentally discovered my son consuming energy drink mixed with orange juice in the cafeteria. I was shocked and decided to inform the municipality at 993 about the cafeteria's illegal activities."

Another parent said that one day she sensed that her son was hiding something from her. "When I insisted on seeing what it was, I found an energy drink can. He said he needed it to stay awake all night to play games on PS4 with his friend who stays in another country with a different time zone." The mother has urged the authorities concerned to tighten its monitoring on the food outlets to ensure they don't flout the rules and cause health hazard to minors, like her son.

afkarali@khaleejtimes.com