Australian doctors warn kids off caffeine-in-a-can drinks

Jan 16, 2012, 4:13 GMT

Sydney - Dozens of teenagers are being taken to hospital for chest pains, tremors and other suspected heart problems after knocking back cans of caffeine-packed drinks, Australian doctors said Monday.

Medical experts have called for high-caffeine drinks like Red Bull to come with the same health warnings as over-the-counter caffeine tablets.

'Health authorities should increase awareness of the problem, improve package labelling and regulate caffeine content,' toxicologists Naren Gunja and Jared Brown said in a paper published in the Medical Journal of Australia.

They also noted that 'mixing energy drinks with alcohol and other stimulants is clearly occurring and is a serious concern.'

Industry lobby group The Australian Beverages Council dismissed the calls for clear caffeine labelling, which have been taken up by the Australian Medical Association.

'If indeed caffeine over-consumption is the concern of the researchers then the proposed review of labelling and sale provisions should be extended for all cups of coffee, pots of tea and all chocolate bars,' council chief Geoff Parker said in a statement.