Moo!

Singapore is not alone with this thing about imposing a ban. While Singapore has banned chewing gum since the early 90s, France has banned a seemingly harmless consumer beverage, the taurine-formula Red Bull, for just as long.

The French government has been forced to legalise the drink because Red Bull is an Austrian export, and the European Union regulations state that a product made or sold in other EU countries cannot be banned unless a health risk is proven.

Apparently, the taurine formula drink had been banned in France for twelve years due to health authorities' concerns about unknown consequences of the major ingredient. Taurine is an artificial chemical in Red Bull, and is actually forbidden in several countries! The French health authority claimed that high levels of taurine and caffeine is suspected to cause 'neurophysiological problems'. (No way!) The safety of use was not guaranteed, and the nutritional value could not be demonstrated. It added that it suspected the drink lessens the impression but not the effects of drunkenness when consumed with alcohol. (Double-No way!!)

The French may not be entirely wrong, because the manufacturer of Red Bull have since agreed to disclose health warnings indicating the drink's high caffeine content, recommending moderate consumption, and advising against consumption by pregnant women and children, would feature on cans.

Yelps. Don't you see a big problem here? Red Bull is popular in Singapore! Students (yes, that included yours truly when he was in college) and blue-collar workers take this drink to get an additional energy boost. Restaurants and pubs also use it as a mixer for vodka. If the French are right, why aren't we given the health advise on the cans in Singapore?

Moo!