Proposal to restrict sale of energy drinks in Bahrain rejected

Shura Council members yesterday rejected their own proposed legislation to restrict the sale of energy drinks in Bahrain.

The legislation was seeking stricter regulations on energy drinks containing caffeine, taurine, ginseng and guarana, among other things.

The clamp would have included a ban on marketing, promoting or advertising such drinks through traditional media, online or social media.

During yesterday’s weekly session, members of the upper chamber of the National Assembly voted on a recommendation by their services committee to reject the proposal on the grounds that the Health Ministry has already issued executive bylaws under the 2018 Public Health Law detailing trade in energy drinks.

The legislation, originally proposed in April 2019, was rejected by MPs last month for being “redundant”.

Services committee chairwoman Dr Jihad Al Fadhel said existing health rules on energy drinks have already been tightened.

Human rights committee vice-chairman Darwish Al Mannai and Mona Almoayyed demanded that taxes on energy drinks and other harmful foods and beverages be increased, or introduced.

The Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry said updated standards for energy drinks were being drawn up by GCC member states.

The Shura services committee said in its report, read out yesterday by member Dr Fatima Al Kooheji, that the components of energy drinks, such as caffeine, are already found in coffee and tea, among other products, and could have the same effect if consumed excessively.

The GDN reported last month that vendors who violate rules on publicity and sale of energy drinks in the country will be stripped of their licence.

The strict regulations, published in the Official Gazette, stipulate that energy drinks which claim to boost mental or physical vigour must not be sold to those aged below 18 or to pregnant and breastfeeding women.

The guidelines were part of a ministerial edict by Health Minister Faeqa Al Saleh under the Public Health Law.

Bahrain imposes a 100 per cent sin tax on energy drinks and tobacco and 50pc on soft drinks.

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