SPORTS AND ENERGY DRINKS
136. The Committee recalled that the last session, while replying to a question from the Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables on food fortification, had agreed to consider the need for a revision of the Principles for the Addition of Essential Nutrients to Foods.
137. Many delegations supported retaining the current Principles, which were adequate to their purpose, and had been used as a basis for national legislation in several countries. The Delegations of the United States, Australia and the Observer of IFU supported a revision of the Principles in order to take into account updated scientific and technological information as well as the evolution of the market. The Delegation of New Zealand noted that a paper, setting out the justification for such a review, was a necessary part of the process before the issue could be further considered by the Committee.
138. The Committee agreed that no new work should be undertaken on the revision of the Principles. It was noted that this matter could be further discussed under Other Business and Future Work at the next session if necessary.
139. The Delegation of Denmark, supported by some delegations, expressed the view that energy drinks were soft drinks and did not require a specific classification. Other delegations supported further definition of the claim for high energy and proposed to ask the Committee on Food Labelling to add this claim to the Guidelines for Use of Nutrition Claims, since it included only a reference to low energy. The Observer from EC stated that products marketed for persons making intense muscular efforts (sports foods) and presented as satisfying special nutritional requirements of these persons, should be considered as foods for special dietary uses. So-called energy drinks intended for the population at large should be considered as ordinary foodstuffs
140. The Delegation of South Africa pointed out that the main problem with this type of product related to unsubstantiated claims; in particular reference was made to energy drinks which had no high energy content but contained additional substances like caffeine.
141. The Delegation of Sweden expressed its concern with the definition of such a claim, since a distinction should been made between ordinary foods and foods for special dietary uses, including those for special medical purposes.
142. The Observer from the EC informed the Committee that the Scientific Committee for Foods was about to adopt an opinion on food intended for persons making intense muscular effort (sport foods) and that considered as foods for special dietary uses.
143. The Committee, recognizing that no conclusion could be reached at this stage, agreed that a Circular Letter should ask for comments on 1) sports foods and drinks as foods for special dietary uses and 2) the claim for high energy, as well as the distinction between "energy drinks" and "sports drinks" in order to discuss this question further at the next session and decide how to proceed further.
