Warning signs placed on EP energy drink fridges
Authorities at the Eastern Province municipality have put up health warnings on energy drink refrigerators across the region’s stores, sources revealed.
The move comes in line with a recent Council of Minister decree curbing the existence of the product, which has been proven to have considerable effects on health.
Muhammad Al- Sufaian, general manager of public relations and municipality media spokesman, confirmed that a team from the environmental health division put up the warnings, which contain the phrase: “This product has no nutritional value.”
Al-Sufaian said that the new law also obliges markets and stores to put energy drinks in separate refrigerators and remove advertisements and billboards that promote the products.
“Violators will be severely punished in the interest of consumer health,” he said.
“It is officially illegal
to advertise the consumption of energy drinks because of their damaging effects. Municipalities across the board have been given directives to take similar action to ensure implementation of the decree,” said Al- Sufaian.
Experts warn that drinking more than two cans a day may have far- reaching effects on teeth.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and teens under 16 are also barred from consuming energy drinks.
Patients with a history of heart disease, blood pressure, diabetes and allergies to caffeine, as well as athletics, have been advised not to take this product.
In addition to Dammam’s central municipality, Dammam’s western municipality has also implemented the ministerial decision urging a curb on harmful energy drinks.
The decree prohibited the sale of energy drinks at restaurants, as well as private and government cafeterias.