Evidence of meeting #22 for Health in the 40th Parliament, 3rd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was children.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Pharmacist and Scientific Consultant, Environmental Health and Toxicology, Institut national de santé publique du Québec
I would not say that the effects are more acute in young people. Youths usually react to smaller quantities, but there are also people who are more sensitive to caffeine. You spoke about drug interactions, which are very important to consider. I do not have any information with me, but the report on energy drinks we are currently drafting for the Government of Quebec covers interactions with caffeine. Many medications react with caffeine.
Among other things to consider, there is the case of hyperactive children who are on drugs like Ritalin. Problems can arise if they mix caffeine with their medication.
NDP
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Now, do either you or Mr. Godefroy know if the consumption of caffeinated beverages is lower in Quebec because of the ban on advertising to children? Do you know if there are lower rates of consumption?
Director General, Food Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Department of Health
I actually don't have the specific consumption levels in Quebec.
NDP
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Okay.
Mr. Sherwood, after page 4 of your submission, there is a chart. Where is this information from?
President, Refreshments Canada
It's taken from the websites of all the available companies. I think we've listed the brand names there.
President, Refreshments Canada
We've compiled it from.... For example, the American brand, I believe, is Starbucks; the well-known Canadian brand is Tim's; and for the energy drink, I think the brands are listed right there—
President, Refreshments Canada
—as well as the quantity in terms of the most common sizes they're sold in.
NDP
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
Okay. Thank you.
If I still have time, Mr. Godefroy, is Health Canada reconsidering caffeinated beverages, non-cola caffeinated beverages, being designated natural health products. Is that something Health Canada is looking at right now?
Director General, Food Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Department of Health
We're talking about carbonated soft drinks, right?
Director General, Food Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Department of Health
Carbonated soft drinks are considered to be foods and will continue to be regulated as such. They are represented to consumers as foods and they have been consumed mostly in order to quench thirst.
NDP
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
I have to be honest. I don't even know if things like Red Bull are carbonated.
Director General, Food Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Department of Health
Red Bull is carbonated, but that's a different category of product. That's the typical energy drink and that's what is regulated currently as a natural health product.
NDP
Megan Leslie NDP Halifax, NS
The fact that they are designated as natural health products concerns a lot of Canadians--just that labelling--so is there any discussion at Health Canada about a different way of labelling or a different way of dealing with these energy drinks?
Director General, Food Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Department of Health
There's actually constant discussion about that. Essentially, our objective is to look at the most effective regulatory framework that would allow the safe use of these products, so it is under consideration.
Conservative
Patrick Brown Conservative Barrie, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I have several questions to get in, so I hope to get concise answers from the witnesses.
I'll start with our focus on caffeine. I found it interesting to hear from Health Canada that 60% of the caffeine comes from coffee, so obviously that's a major source of caffeine, and how it affects Canadians. So I want to know if there have been similar studies on caffeine levels in coffee or tea undertaken by Health Canada in terms of adverse effects that might have been caused.
Director General, Food Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Department of Health
Not necessarily on adverse effects, but we have information about the levels of caffeine in those beverages. Those were taken into consideration in the overall assessment to look at the caffeine intake.
Conservative
Patrick Brown Conservative Barrie, ON
Obviously it's important to look at the largest source of caffeine for Canadians; other products, whether they are chocolate, Red Bull, or medicines, are obviously a much smaller aspect of the market.
In terms of spontaneous reports, obviously, to reach hard conclusions, I imagine it would be important to have access to lab tests or medical records. Do you have any access to information like that?
