Govt orders energy drink guidelines review

Australia and New Zealand have ordered a review of caffeinated energy drink guidelines.
Ministers responsible for trans-Tasman food and beverage regulation met in Canberra on Friday and decided it was time to address the ongoing health concerns surrounding the drinks.
They ordered that the policy guidelines on the addition of caffeine to foods, developed in 2003, be reviewed.
Australian junior health minister Catherine King said the review would consider global developments in caffeinated products and the regulatory approaches of other countries.
The group will also receive advice from the intergovernmental committee on drugs on the issue of mixing alcohol with caffeinated energy drinks.
Ms King said the ministerial council would decide whether to refer the matter to Food Standards Australia New Zealand for further action when the review was finished.