In the news today: the Canadian Beverage Industry is unhappy about a new report issued by the Canadian Medical Association Journal that slams so-called "energy drinks." The report, Caffeinating Children and Youth, isn't sitting too well with the people who make a lot of money on these sugar-and-caffeine bombs.
The CBI starts out by saying, "We strongly agree that energy drinks should be marketed responsibly," and that "these energy drinks are intended for adults." Could that be why Red Bull sends out a Mini Cooper with a giant can on the back of it to events? And if you go to its website, you'll see that, among other events, Red Bull sponsors the Manny Mania in Canada. That's skateboarding, a sport which, obviously, has absolutely no appeal for anyone under the age of 21. In France, it sponsors Thre3Style, a competition for DJs. Again, what young person would be interested?
The CBI says the label warns against mixing the drinks with alcohol -- which they do -- but then why does a company like Continental Airlines offer a drink that contains Red Bull and Skyy Vodka? Am I supposed to believe that the "energy drink" company is unaware that the airline is doing this?
I think people should be able to figure out what they're putting in their mouths, but I mean that for adults. Children don't know better, but they're guzzling this stuff like it's water. Sugar and caffeine: just what a growing body needs.
