Nutrition labelling

Nutrition facts of energy drinks

Nutrition labelling is the same throughout the whole European Union (Food Information to Consumers Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011). Any information relating to the energy value or most relevant nutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, fat, salt, vitamins and minerals) appears on the label. This harmonised labelling approach facilitates the comparability between nutrition facts of inter alia different energy drinks.

Further, the European Union has implemented new provisions regarding caffeine-containing beverages with a caffeine content of more than 150 mg per litre. According to these provisions, the labelling of energy drinks has to include the advisory statement “High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breastfeeding women” followed by a quantitative indication of the products’ total caffeine content expressed in mg per 100 ml.

These advisory statements are to help consumers make informed choices.

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Calories and energy drinks?

Within the European Union, the rules on nutrition declaration are the same (Food Information to Consumers Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011). One of the things that must be included on the label is the caloric energy value of a product. This energy value must be declared both in kJ (kilojoules) and in kcal (kilocalories). The caloric level of an energy drink depends on the added ingredients, such as the type of sweetener. Energy drinks are mostly sweetened with sugar, but there is also a variety of sugar-free options available, which are sweetened with intense sweeteners like aspartame. Therefore, consumers have a choice of energy drinks with different calorie levels.