Action on portion sizes
Energy Drinks Europe (EDE) is committed to promoting meaningful solutions and advocates for the importance of addressing portion sizes with consumers, regulators and the general public.
A 250 ml can of a typical energy drink contains the same amount of sugars as the same-sized apple juice, orange juice or conventional soft drink. The science is clear: Smaller portion sizes for energy-dense foods and sugar-sweetened drinks are the most effective measure to address overweight and obesity and are a much more impactful response to dietary challenges than fiscal interventions or other restrictions. Most recent research has even shown that offering smaller portion sizes has a “normalizing” effect, leading consumers to choose smaller portions instead of larger ones because smaller portions are perceived as the new and more appropriate portion size (“small portions become the new norm”).
A 250 ml can of a typical energy drink contains around 80 milligrams of caffeine. According to conclusions of the European Food Safety Authority, 75-80 milligrams of caffeine in a single serve is all that is required to achieve the functional effect that energy drinks provide. As a result, the perfect portion for any caffeinated food has about 80 milligrams of caffeine. EDE members strongly believe that addressing portion sizes of all food and beverage products is an effective and evidence-based response to dietary challenges.