Danger for children

VKI: Influencer drinks “anything but healthy”

Numerous influencers have discovered the energy drink and soft drink business. The products advertised by their social media idols are particularly popular with children and young people. The Association for Consumer Information (VKI) has examined the ingredients of some popular drinks and warns that some of them are "anything but healthy", especially for the young target group.

For example, a can of the energy drink from two US influencers, which is now available worldwide under the "Prime" brand, contains 200 milligrams of caffeine in a 0.355-liter container. By comparison, a 250 milliliter can of Red Bull contains 80 milligrams of caffeine. "Both drinks are not recommended for children and pregnant women, but may be sold to them. Prime Energy has already been banned in Slovenia due to its high caffeine content," says the VKI.

At 160 milligrams per 500-milliliter can, the caffeine content of "Gönrgy", a product from social media star MontanaBlack, which is well-known in German-speaking countries, is also problematically high.

"According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), a maximum daily intake of three milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body weight is safe for children and adolescents. For a body weight of 45 kilograms, this corresponds to a maximum amount of 135 milligrams of caffeine," the consumer advocates emphasized. "Prime Energy" and "Gönrgy" would be far higher, with 200 and 160 milligrams of caffeine per can respectively.

"Not suitable for children and young people"
"As it can be assumed that once a can has been opened, it will be consumed in its entirety, we are of the opinion that such drinks are not suitable for children and young people," warned VKI nutritionist Nina Eichberger.

But the expert also urges caution with smaller energy drinks with 250 milliliters: "With these drinks, the caffeine intake that is problematic for children and adolescents is already clearly exceeded if more than one can or other caffeinated drinks are consumed per day."

According to the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety AGES, too much caffeine can have adverse effects: There is a risk of shortness of breath, uncontrolled muscle tremors, severe nausea and anxiety, for example.