European Court of Justice uploads France's ban on Red Bull.

TheSUN ^ | 02/06/04 | TheSUN

[Pikamax]

A load of Bull in France

Red Bull ... could be banned in France

By JOHN SCOTT FIZZY drink makers were frothing yesterday after European judges ruled France can BAN energy drink Red Bull.

The coffee-loving country says the drink — which sold 213 million cans in the UK last year — has too much CAFFEINE.

And a Red Bull insider commented: “It’s pretty rich when you look at the amount of coffee they guzzle.”

The drink has been outlawed in France for ten years. The European Court of Justice yesterday supported their decision because of fears by French health officials.

Norway and Japan restrict sales of Red Bull, which is popular with UK clubbers and is advertised with the line “Red Bull gives you wings”. It also has vitamins, carbohydrates and metabolic transmitters.

But its Austrian manufacturers declared: “It is perfectly safe. There’s no more caffeine in a can of Red Bull than a weak cup of coffee.

“It has been approved by health authorities in over 70 countries and sold throughout Europe for over 15 years.

“Only France has a health issue with our product because they have adopted very restrictive nutrition policies."

RED Bull’s high caffeine content has a stimulating effect on the heart, writes Sun Health Editor Jacqui Thornton. But long-term excessive use of caffeine can be a factor in high-blood pressure and heart disease. Two men and a woman died in Sweden three years ago after mixing it with vodka.

[elfman2]

"But long-term excessive use of caffeine can be a factor in high-blood pressure and heart disease. "

So can going on 6 week vacations and leaving thousands of grandparents to die in un-air-conditioned apartments during a heat wave. A very compassionate people the French.

[Sacajaweau]

What a ruse. Three died when they mixed it with vodka. 213 million in the UK did not die. Sounds safer than water.

[El Conservador]

Last time I checked, the UK had 56 million people.

Did you mean the US???

[Sacajaweau]

It said they sold 213 million cans in the UK and I made a bad statistical extraction. Maybe I could be a politician.

[El Conservador]

"There's lies, damn lies and statistics"

Never been said better.

[Sacajaweau]

But then again....Let's say that 21.3 million people subjected themselves to possible death 10 times and it didn't work.

[McGavin999]

It's the way the french are getting around the free trade thing. They will just restrict everything for "health" reasons. Just like GE food. That way they can be protectionist but the rest of the world can't.

[rogue yam]

This is just the French elite making it illegal for the common people in France to do something "un-French" even if they want to. No more, no less.