The Canadian Beverage Association (CBA) recognizes the heightened public discourse regarding energy drink consumption among young people and is focused on ensuring that these discussions remain on youth well‑being and public health.
Caffeine is one of the longest-used, best-studied food ingredients in the world. It is present in a wide range of commonly consumed products, including coffee, tea, soft drinks, chocolate, and supplemented foods. For example, a 250 ml energy drink typically contains 80mg of caffeine, which is about the same as a cup of instant coffee or a single espresso. In this regard, energy drinks contribute less caffeine to the diet than coffee and tea, even for teens. The Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) (2020) found that coffee and tea are consumed at higher amounts than energy drinks. In Canada, supplemented foods — including energy drinks — are subject to strict requirements established by Health Canada, particularly regarding labelling and composition. The regulator mandates a per-serving limit of 180mg, which is lower than most roasted drip coffees from a coffee house.
CBA member companies are committed to responsible marketing, labelling, and promotion practices, including specific voluntary measures related to energy drinks. These commitments are outlined in the 2023 Code for the Responsible Advertising of Food and Beverage Products to Children and the 2010 CBA Code on Marketing of Energy Drinks. Collectively, these measures restrict direct commercial activity related to energy drinks in primary, middle, and secondary schools, and limit advertising in media or sponsored activities primarily directed at children.
Caffeine is one of the most widely consumed and well‑studied food ingredients in the world, and its effects have been examined extensively across diverse populations and consumption patterns. Mainstream energy drinks have been marketed worldwide for more than 30 years. While the CBA takes concerns about this product category seriously, it believes that public health discussions about energy drinks and caffeine should prioritize scientific evidence, strong data, and consumer education. It is important that consumers understand that caffeine is caffeine regardless of the source, and caffeine-sensitive consumers should be aware of their total caffeine intake from all sources.
The Canadian Beverage Association believes that a comprehensive approach to caffeine and its effects is more constructive than targeting a specific product or product category in isolation. Regulating a single source of caffeine unevenly could lead to unintended consequences and risk shifting consumers toward other caffeine alternatives that are neither regulated like energy drinks in Canada nor subject to CBA member company voluntary commitments. The Association remains committed to ongoing collaboration with public health authorities, policymakers, and other stakeholders to support education, transparency, and responsible consumption of caffeine, regardless of source.
17.04.2026