Energy-drink ban called overreaction

Irma Lemus

BURBANK -- Burbank Unified School District officials’ decision to ban

Red Bull and other energy drinks from city schools is being called an

overreaction by some, though others say it is justified.

The school district banned all energy drinks after two John Burroughs

High School football players fainted during practice. Officials said the

students, who had not eaten that day, drank the popular Red Bull energy

drink prior to practice.

In an Oct. 17 memo, Red Bull and Speed Stack are the only energy

drinks identified, but the letter states that all energy drinks and

tablets are banned at Burbank schools.

Thom Simmons of the California Interscholastic Federation was

surprised to hear about the Burbank ban. Simmons said the organization,

which regulates high school athletics, has not banned energy drinks.

“When I think of energy drinks, the one that comes to mind is

Gatorade. I’d have to say that we are very happy and grateful with the

support Gatorade has given us and we have no problem with the drink,”

Simmons said.

District officials said the ban does not include Gatorade, but have

not provided a list of banned drinks.

School officials said Red Bull and Speed Stack contain high levels of

caffeine, which may be harmful to students. Ephedrine, found in Speed

Stack, is an herbal supplement that may have life-threatening side

effects. But Red Bull officials say the Burbank ban is outrageous. Red

Bull includes taurine, a natural amino acid, and glucuronolactone, a

substance that removes toxins from the body. Both are proven to be safe,

officials said.

Dr. Sowaroas Vasik, a Burbank pediatrician, said she agreed with the

district’s ban.

“Energy drinks contain too much caffeine. The caffeine can accelerate

the heart,” Vasik said. She said a student who drinks a caffeinated

beverage prior to exercising may exhibit rapid heartbeat and even

exhaustion.

Vasik, who has been practicing for 16 years, said she also thinks soda

and coffee machines should not be allowed on school campuses.

“It’s not healthy for kids to consume so much caffeine and sugar. You

don’t see kids in other countries this unhealthy,” she said.

Ruth Frechman, a Burbank dietitian and California Dietetic Assn.

spokeswoman, said she is not sure energy drinks are harmful. However, she

said the district blaming Red Bull for the students becoming ill was not

correct.

“They didn’t take into consideration if it was the dehydration or lack

of food that made them ill,” she said.

Frechman warned that energy drinks and supplements should be taken

with caution, because they are not regulated as other drugs are.

“If you are under 18 or taking prescription drugs, you should always

check with your physician before taking a supplement,” she said.