Prime Energy drinks being sold in Canada violate Health Canada regulations

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said Tuesday it is recalling cans of Prime Energy that contain 200 milligrams of caffeine after CBC News reported they were being sold in stores in at least three provinces. Cans with 200 mg of caffeine violate Health Canada regulations. 

Dr. Jane Shearer, a kinesiology professor at UCalgary and a member of the Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, says caffeine shouldn't be under the CFIA purview because it's a drug.

"It's highly problematic," she said. "I think energy drink companies have been largely in charge here and the Canadian government needs to do more on getting a handle on what's in the market. This is not the first time we've seen products in the market that exceed Health Canada regulations."

Health Canada's recommended maximum caffeine intake for children up to age 18 is 2.5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, per day. For adults, it's no more than 400 milligrams. 

Coffee can sometimes have more than 180 milligrams of caffeine in a single serving, and is not as strictly regulated. But experts say the concern with energy drinks is how they're marketed and whether it's to vulnerable demographics. Read more.