Energy drink-related ER visits double since 2007

FDA will undertake a review of the drinks' safety

January 18, 2013

BreakingNews

According to the Associated Press, a survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration showed that energy drink-related ER visits have doubled, from 10,000 to 20,000, since 2007. In more than half of cases, patients told doctors they had consumed only energy drinks, while other substances were involved in about 40 percent of incidents. The report calls energy drinks a “rising public health problem” that can cause insomnia, nervousness, headache, fast heartbeat and seizures. The FDA said it was considering the findings and asking for more details as it reviews the safety of energy drinks and related ingredients this spring.

Shane O’Halloran joined Food Engineering in November of 2012 as Digital/Online Editor. He graduated from Oberlin College in 2010, and worked as a copy editor and contributor to BleacherReport.com and ShesGameSports.com. He has also written feature articles on a freelance basis for publications in the western suburbs of Philadelphia. His areas of expertise include social media campaigns and website management. Shane produces daily news updates for www.foodengineeringmag.com and Food Engineering’s social media sites. In addition, Shane writes news articles for FE’s TechFlash e-newsletter and Food Engineering’s People and Industry section.