I've gathered over time that France is extremely wary of letting in big name, globally available products. Apparently they don't like Coca Cola, and now the Ministry of Health is giving Red Bull a hard time.It's only been recently that Red Bull was allowed to be sold in France at all. The energy drink maker had to remove taurine, because the health ministry claims that long term effects of the chemical are unknown. So now Red Bull is allowed in France, but it's still on pretty shaky ground. This article in Flexnews makes it pretty clear that French health officials are looking for any excuse to ban sales of Red Bull.
Apparently taurine, in and of itself isn't really a problem. However, there's a lot of questions that come up when it's combined with caffeine and/or alcohol. Are French officials right to try and get rid of the energy drink? That's a tough question. What's your take on this?
6-15-2008 @1:26PM User said... Since Red Bull isn't a particularly important or crucial product, I think that the French government is fine doing whatever they please.
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6-15-2008 @2:55PM Esoterikal said... I find it entertaining that France, (stereo)typically known for drinking and smoking (the long-term effects of both being well-known), would ban an apparently benign product.
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6-15-2008 @4:29PM Carl McClure said... Put a disclaimer on the can, and let it go!
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6-15-2008 @9:57PM k_d said... Red Bull probably will prove, over time, to not confer any extra energy (what does that mean, anyway? Wakefulness, alertness, activity - what?) to its drinkers, nor any particular health benefits or detriments. So France will end up not looking particularly wise nor foolish as drinkers give up this drink for the next fad drink to come along. And Red Bull investors will wonder, much as tech companies in 2000 did, what in the world happened to that go-go fad that used to make them money. Meanwhile, the hot shot web designer who was sitting pretty in a dream job with as much Red Bull as he could consume and could visit the beach whenever he wanted, will be beating the bushes in search of someone who can support him on RBNA wages, when no one desires to consume taurine drinks with extra caffeine any longer.
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6-16-2008 @12:19PM evan said... Red Bull is also not allowed for sale here in Denmark. Because of the Taurine. Like the French, the Danes see it as an unproven chemical. Can't say I miss it, as I think Red Bull and all energy drinks are foul. The ´Danes also do not allow the adding of vitamins and minerals to food products for kids. They reason children should get their daily intake of Vitamins, etc the normal way; through eating healthy, nutritious food. Also, the adding of vitamins to foods can, in the Danes eyes, lead to an over intake of minerals etc for kids; can lead to damage in the Liver/ Kidneys apparently. Very healthy bunch the Danes,especially their kids, is all I'll say.
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6-17-2008 @3:13AM Bernie B said... Nice to see the French taking a stand against a foul product. I agree with Evan "do not allow the adding of vitamins and minerals to food products for kids."
Kids aside, the idea of consuming some Frankendrink for "more energy" is absurd to think that there won't be any long-term effects for the short-term gains.
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