Information Update - Health Canada reminds Canadians not to mix caffeinated drinks with alcohol

OTTAWA, Sept. 27, 2018 /CNW/ - Health Canada is reminding all Canadians of the risks of mixing caffeinated drinks with alcohol.

Over the years, mixing caffeinated energy drinks with alcohol has become popular, especially among teenagers and young adults.

People may not feel the symptoms of intoxication when consuming caffeinated drinks mixed with alcohol, and the caffeine may mask the drowsiness associated with alcohol intake. This may increase the potential for overconsumption of alcohol, which could lead to:

• alcohol poisoning;
• dehydration; and
• alcohol-related injury or death.

Health Canada advises adults to be cautious if consuming such drinks and recommends that parents talk to their teens about the risks of drinking alcohol. For further information, please refer to Canada's Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines.

Health Canada requires that all caffeinated energy drinks carry warning statements on the label stating that these products are not to be mixed with alcohol. In Canada, alcoholic drinks that have directly added caffeine are illegal. Caffeine may be present in some alcoholic drinks as a result of flavouring ingredients that naturally contain caffeine (such as guarana seed extract, coffee and chocolate). The amount of caffeine in these flavourings is very low.

The Department is also taking action to restrict the amount of alcohol in highly sweetened, high-alcohol beverages that are sold in large-volume, non re-sealable containers, as these products promote binge drinking.

Related Products

Problematic Alcohol Use 
Canada's Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines 
The Chief Public Health Officer's Report on the State of Public Health in Canada 2015: Alcohol Consumption in Canada 
Caffeinated Energy Drinks

SOURCE Health Canada

Media Relations: Health Canada, 613-957-2983, [email protected]; Public Inquiries: 613-957-2991, 1-866 225-0709