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News: Should pop contain caffeine?

Canada has always had a bizarre rule that cola-like beverages (like Coca-Cola and Pepsi) could contain caffeine, but other soft drinks could not. This has led to discrepancies across the border—for instance, Mountain Dew, which apparently has quite high levels of caffeine in the United States, has until now been caffeine-free in Canada.

But this is about to change, as Health Canada has announced that it will be allowing the addition of caffeine in non-cola soft drinks. The justification? The addition of caffeine apparently poses no additional health risks to Canadians—so long as they follow Health Canada's guidelines for levels of caffeine consumption (no more than 400 mg/day for the average adult, less for children and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding). Note, of course, that there is no law requiring manufacturers to label their products with the quantity of caffeine (although added caffeine does have to be listed in the ingredients), so it takes some research to figure out how much you're consuming—although Health Canada has requested that soft drink companies include levels of caffeine on product labels.

Now, I love a good cup of coffee as much as the next person, though I try to stick to green tea most days. And I'm definitely not the only one in this country with a daily caffeine habit. But I have to wonder—why have caffeine in pop at all? Especially when it's a product strongly marketed to children, who are especially susceptible to the negative effects of caffeine consumption?

Could it be that manufacturers just want us to associate their products with increased energy—in short, to be addicted to them?

What do you think? Should soft drinks contain added caffeine? Should Health Canada have made the decision it did?

Posted by Kat Tancock onMonday, March 22nd, 2010 - 8:04am

8 Comments

Why oh Why didn't they leave well enough alone?? Isn't there enough chuggable crap out there without having to have it all leaching caffeine? No it is NOT good for ANYONE to drink too much caffeine ASK A DOCTOR. They are just pandering to the soft drink lobbyists -obviously they want the caffeine in the pop so they can SELL MORE. SHAME ON HEALTH CANADA!!!!

Submitted by Chris on Mon, 2011-10-03 8:35pm.

Red bull gives you wings!! Who doesn't want wings??

Submitted by Amber on Fri, 2010-06-25 4:14pm.

I find it disgusting that it is legal to market it a primarily youth-targeted beverage with caffeine in it. The fact that Health Canada approved this... wow..... Shame on you. Oh well though, I guess we know how it goes. Kids get too hyper from the pop, we'll just pump them full of Ridelyn

Submitted by Andrew on Tue, 2010-03-23 10:53pm.

How did the people ,at Health Canada get their Job, they are not there for the consumer , they are there for big business to make sure consumers get addicted to more of there drinks ,.Shame ,Shame ,How can I apply for your Job????

Submitted by L isa Anna Thomas on Tue, 2010-03-23 4:01pm.

Sheep, all of you. Getting your *must have* coffee in the morning... IT IS ADDICTIVE. You are all addicted to caffeine. Try quitting and feel the withdrawal symptoms! So many people addicted to diet coke or diet pepsi. Everyone addicted to their $5 Starbucks coffee. Humans don't need coffee to "wake up". It is unnatural.

If I was selling a food or beverage product of course I would want caffeine in it. Everyone would get addicted and I would be a rich man.

Submitted by Philip McCrackin on Tue, 2010-03-23 12:27pm.

Not at all. It is not necessary to put caffeine into soft drinks. What is the purpose? If the caffeine added to the flavour of the drink in some way then maybe that could be a viable reason. But seeing as it does not do that then what is the purpose.? To me the only purpose would be exactly what the person who wrote the article said. To make us addicted to their product so that we in the long run buy more. It is in my opinion a very irresponsible move by the government and by the soft drink companies because of the fact that they are consumed a lot by children. Children have enough problems today already with all of the bad hormones, chemicals and technology shoved in their face. The last thing they need now is to be putting caffeine into their bodies to make children now addicted to it even before they are adults. That is completely and utterly WRONG. We need to stop this sort of stuff.

Submitted by Sally on Tue, 2010-03-23 11:17am.

The decision to allow caffeine in non cola soft drinks just goes to show us that Health Canada "just doesn"t get it." They say allow it because it does no harm. Cafiene is not in there now, why allow it at all. I would like to hear the benefits of cafiene in soft drinks from Health Canada.. My thinking is they are bowing to pressure from soft drink companies. Also if it is allowed the companies should be forced to put the amount on the can. Shame on you ,Health Canada.

Submitted by Larry Chomiak on Tue, 2010-03-23 10:38am.

NO Not everyone can tolerate the caffeine.......it's a health hazard for many.

Submitted by weehotpie on Tue, 2010-03-23 9:17am.

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