Boost from the box: Szupermenta tested energy drinks

By: Trademagazin Date: 2024. 10. 17. 11:55

Energy drinks were also broken down into their components by the Szupermenta program. During the product test, in the laboratories of the National Food Chain Safety Office (Nébih), the caffeine, taurine, sugar, sweetener and vitamin content of the products were examined. There was no security issue. The experts found a food quality defect in one energy drink, as well as a labeling problem in several cases, 28 out of 35 products.

Energy drinks were the focus of the Szupermenta program: a total of 35 products were examined by experts. Of the tested drinks, 15 were made exclusively with sugar, and 12 with sweeteners, while 8 products contained both sugar and sweeteners. In terms of their origin, 20 were Hungarian and 15 were produced abroad, and in terms of packaging, 250 ml and 500 ml drinks were included in the test.

Energy drinks usually contain caffeine, sugar and/or sweeteners, as well as other substances with nutritional or physiological effects, such as taurine, glucuronolactone, and vitamins. Sometimes different plant extracts (guarana, ginseng) are also used in the recipes. These carbonated, non-alcoholic drinks contain all these ingredients in varying amounts and combinations. It is important to emphasize that it is made for healthy adults, it typically has a high caffeine content, so its consumption is not recommended for children and pregnant or lactating women.

As part of the food safety and quality tests carried out in Nébih’s laboratories, the caffeine, taurine, sugar, sweetener and vitamin content of the products was checked, among other things. The amount of caffeine measured in energy drinks ranged from 13.8 to 35 mg/100 ml.