While the Ministry of Health is aware that the energy drink has been banned in countries like France, Denmark and Norway, it does not follow suit that Botswana should do the same because there are "no documented positive or negative health effects associated with the amount of taurine in drinks, including Red Bull", the minister said.
He explained that the decision not to ban Red Bull is based on the fact that the European Food Safety Authority has concluded that exposure to glucuronolactone from regular consumption of the energy drink is not a safety concern. "Commonly reported side effects are due to caffeine in Red Bull, especially when taken in excessive quantities," he said. Dr Seakgosing added that the banning of Red Bull altogether has been a controversial issue worldwide due to inadequate scientific and medical evidence against it, and that the ministry is therefore not in a position to advice the government to ban the drink. According to medicalnewstoday website, Red Bull is Britain's best-selling energy drink. It contains caffeine, vitamins and sugar which, the manufacturers claim, kick-start the body's metabolism and keeps people alert.
