Thirsty Norwegians swallowed 73 million liters of energy drink in 2022. That is almost twice as much as in 2019, and more than in any previous year. This is shown by new figures from the Brewery Association. Leanna Dyb Eide (13) in Ålesund is one of those who think energy drinks are good. – It tastes a bit sweet, reminds me a bit of a soft drink, actually, she says on the way to the store in Spjelkavik in Ålesund in store fri. Jacob Røst Slyngstad agrees. – It tastes good, but one is very often tempted and a bit addicted, he says, laughing. Jacob Røst Slyngstad (13) says energy drinks are good. He does not agree that he is too young. Photo: Remi Sagen / news And there are many children who share the 13-year-olds’ taste. Recently, news told about the mother of a small child who thought that the 11-year-old had contracted vomiting after ingesting two cans of energy drink. Are energy drinks actually harmful? Ask your questions to our experts here: Kirsti Kverndokk Bjerkan, clinical nutritionist at Helse Møre og Romsdal. Kathrine Haavardsholm, clinical nutritionist at Oslo University Hospital. Hi! Welcome to dialogue at news. Since you are logged in to other news services, you don’t have to log in again here, but we need your consent to our terms of use for online dialogue Will refuse young people under 16 to buy The colorful boxes are popular with many children and young people. Many adults are not happy about that. The Consumer Council believes the time is overdue to introduce an age limit. They show that the high caffeine content means that one can is enough to cause sleep disturbances and effects on the heart, blood vessels and central nervous system. – The industry is unable to clean itself up. Consumption among children and young people is increasing. They are still younger when they make their debut as energy drinkers, they drink more often and more at a time. Now the authorities must take responsibility and introduce a ban so that the health of children and young people can be protected, says consumer director Inger Lise Blyverket. She says the development is contrary to the will that politicians, subject experts and the industry itself have advocated. Consumer director Inger Lise Blyverket believes there should be an age limit on energy drinks because they are not good for children and young people. Photo: Consumer Council Coop is waiting for the politicians Several of the store chains in Norway have themselves introduced age limits to prevent children from shopping. Coop has not done that. Communications director Harald Kristiansen in Coop Noreg does not answer whether he agrees that the industry has not taken responsibility. In an e-mail, he writes that it is difficult to refuse children to buy a legal product. – This is a debate that comes up at regular intervals and which we would also like to be settled by the governing authorities so that we ensure equal practice in all industries that sell energy drinks. Harald Kristiansen is communications director at Coop. He asks for clarification. Photo: Espen Solli / Espen Solli Considering asking FHI for help And he may soon get what he wants. The Ministry of Health and Care Services is working on a report to the Storting on public health, particularly aimed at children and young people. The work will be completed in the spring of 2023. State Secretary Ole Henrik Krat Bjørkholt says they are worried about the increasing use of energy drinks among children and young people. Photo: Esten Borgos, Borgos Foto AS The increasing use of energy drinks will be a topic there, and there is talk of a possible proposal to introduce an age limit. – There is reason to worry about the increasing use of energy drinks among children and young people. Energy drinks contain caffeine, which in large quantities can put children and young people at risk of negative health effects, says State Secretary Ole Henrik Krat Bjørkholt in the Ministry of Health and Care. He says they are now considering asking FHI to look at how the authorities can monitor the development among young people aged 14 to 17. – Lots of people like energy drinks The 13-year-olds in Ålesund say that their parents reluctantly accept that they buy energy drinks once in a while. Leanna Dyb Eide says she supports a national age limit in all shops. – I actually think it’s a good idea. It is very dangerous for children and it is easy to become addicted to it, she says. Classmate Mohammed Hassan does not want the authorities to introduce an age limit at all. – I don’t think they should do that, a lot of people like energy drinks, he says. Mohammed Hassan does not want any age limit on energy drinks. Photo: Remi Sagen / news
ttn-69
New record in the sale of energy drinks in 2022 – The Consumer Council requests a 16-year age limit – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
