13 June 2008 - In April this year, Austrian Energy drink producer Red Bull finally gained access to the French market. However, entry was subject to the removal of taurine from its drinks. Instead, Red Bull decided to use arginine.
Prior to April, France’s food safety agency AFSSA did not authorise the sale of Red Bull’s products due to the lack of knowledge regarding the long term effects of taurine on the human body. However, France had to accept the product’s entry as no scientific evidence on its “noxious effects” could be brought forward by the competent authorities.
On Wednesday, France’s health minister Roselyne Bachelot informed the media that France is monitoring Red Bull beverages very closely and as soon as solid proof is provided, the state will ban sales of the energy drink.
The surveillance authority - the Institut National de Veille Sanitaire (INVS) – will report all findings to the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA), said the media.
Back in April, FLEXNEWS reported that the Austrian company, known for its non-conformist style, had picked April Fools' Day to end the long dry spell for France. In a statement released at the time, Red Bull said it “made a spectacular entry into France” and the “highlight of the celebrations marking the arrival of the energy drink was a Red Bull-style car rally around the Arc de Triomphe by the Wings Teams”.