State Takes Red Bull By The Horns

Reshma Patil - Mumbai

Opening a fizzy can of controversy, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has prohibited the sale of popular Austrian energy drink Red Bull on a non-governmental organisation's complaint that a key ingredient in the product - labelled vegetarian - contains animal extracts.

The FDA has planned laboratory tests to investigate the ingredient taurine, an amino acid that constistutes, an amino acid that constitutes 1,000 mg per can. The company maintains that taurine is produced synthetically.

"The FDA has prohibited sale of stocks of Red Bull", said FDA Commissioer Rameshkumar. "The drink is not harmful, but we received a complaint last week alleging that taurine is extracted from animal extracts. The label on the can indicates it is of vegetable origin which may or may not be the case."

Promising to boost physical performance and emotional status, Red Bull Energy Drink has kicked up controversy in some foreign markets with scientific inquiries by groups in Europe expressing concern over the product's high content of caffeine (80 mg), taurine and carbohydrate glucronolactone (600 mg).

Approximately two billion cans of the drink are sold in 120 nations. For the record, the company website denies the allegation (a myth suggests taurine is from bulls' testicles) and emphasises that Red Bull "does not contain any animal products or substances derived from animals".

A top official at the company's Mumbai office, which imports stocks, said an FDA 'Query' on the product's constituents has been forwarded to the company's head office in Austria for a reply.

The official denied receiving an order, prohibiting sale of stocks. The product's website maintains that 'all ingredients are synthetically produced by Pharmaceutical companies'.

Rameshkumar said he grants the possibility that taurine is synthetically produced, but says his office has sought an official explanation from the country. Until the FDA is convinced, sale is prohibited under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act (1954).