2 June 2009 - Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety has found traces of cocaine in cans of Red Bull, only a few days after Taiwanese authorities confiscated nearly 18,000 cases of drink.
Laboratory analysis discovered small amounts of drug in samples of "Red Bull Cola", "Red Bull Sugar-free" and "Red Bull Energy Drink", but the amounts found (0.1-0.3mg/l) pose very little health risks.
Hong Kong supermarkets had already began recalling Red Bull products. Retailers such as Wellcome Supermarket, ParknShop, or even 7-eleven, had all removed the energy drink from their shelves yesterday.
Yesterday Red Bull reacted by saying: "There were some concerns in Germany about the legal qualification of decocainised coca leaf extract that is issued in the production of an entirely different product – one that is not even available in Taiwan or any other Asian market – Red Bull Simply Cola and not [Red Bull] Energy Drink".
The Hong Kong Commissioner for Narcotics, Sally Wong said: "Cocaine is a dangerous drug regulated under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap. 134). The possession and dealing in the drug is a criminal offence, except in very restricted circumstances permitted by the law."
"We are now seeking legal advice on the possible legal liability of various parties including importers and retailers. While the major supermarket chains have already taken the products off their shelves, importers and other retailers may wish to stop selling such products from now, as a precautionary measure", she added.
The Government of Hong Kong is arranging to meet with the parties concerned as soon as possible to discuss the matter.
Red Bull's Chinese branch, China Red Bull Vitamin Drink Co Ltd, which is based in Beijing, meanwhile told reporters that the energy drink was "safe for consumption" on the Chinese mainland.
A spokesman said that his company does not sell any imported Red Bull products on the mainland. Its products, which are made on the Chinese mainland, do not contain cocaine and other ingredients banned under the Chinese food safety regulations. In addition, Red Bull energy drink has a different formula from the one used overseas".
Retailers on the Chinese mainland continue to sell the energy drink.
