Thank you, Madam Chair.
This is a very important topic for Canadians and the committee. We are very concerned about the effectiveness of regulations. We are especially concerned about health.
I would just like to reassure the committee that it is not the case that we are proposing not to regulate energy drinks. We have a variety of regulatory regimes and mechanisms in the department.
Previously energy drinks fell under the natural health products category. What was announced by the government in October was that we would be proposing that energy drinks move over and be classified as foods. Foods are also regulated, so there are maximum caffeine levels that will apply in these drinks. There will be labelling requirements. There will be a number of regulatory measures. So we are very much intending to regulate energy drinks as foods.
I would point out that we believe this is how they're consumed--as food--and in fact when we look, as we do, across the world at our international partners, this is how our international colleagues are also dealing with energy drinks.