NIGERIA – The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a public alert regarding the excessive consumption of G-Fuel brand Energy Drinks, sold by T&E Imports and GPAE Trading Corp.
The agency, led by Director-General Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, cautioned consumers about the high caffeine content in these products, emphasizing the potential health risks associated with their consumption.
In the issued public alert (No. 034/2023), NAFDAC highlighted the significant health problems linked to high caffeine intake.
These issues include headaches, insomnia, irritability, and nervousness, particularly among individuals sensitive to caffeine.
Pregnant women, in particular, were urged to abstain from these energy drinks due to the increased risk of miscarriage and low birth weight associated with excessive caffeine consumption.
The alert further revealed that similar recalls had been made by international authorities, including the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
The recalled G-Fuel products were found to lack a cautionary statement limiting the number of daily servings, raising concerns about the potential adverse effects on consumers.
When it comes to caffeinated beverages, Health Canada mandates strict labelling; the recall notice about the G Fuel drinks mentions that although the cans contain 300 mg of caffeine, there is no warning about the appropriate amount to consume.
A healthy adult can only consume 400 mg of caffeine per day from all sources, including energy drinks, coffee, tea, and chocolate-containing goods, according to Canada’s dietary standards. The upper limit is 300 mg for those who are nursing a baby or who are contemplating becoming pregnant.
Health Canada states that the maximum for children should be determined by their weight, with a maximum of 2.5 milligrams per kilogram. That would be for a child weighing 100 pounds.
Notably, the affected products are predominantly sold online, bypassing traditional retail channels. Additionally, NAFDAC clarified that the product in question had not been registered with the agency, making its distribution and consumption unauthorized and potentially hazardous.
Consumers and retailers were emphatically urged to refrain from using, selling, serving, or distributing the recalled G-Fuel energy drinks. NAFDAC provided contact details for reporting any suspected distribution and sale of unwholesome packaged food products.
The agency also encouraged healthcare professionals and patients to report adverse events or side effects related to the consumption of any substandard NAFDAC-regulated product through various reporting platforms.
NAFDAC emphasized the importance of public vigilance and prompt reporting to ensure the safety of consumers.
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