Health group concerned over sports drinks

A key health group is warning that proposed changes to the labelling of sports drinks could mislead consumers.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is considering permitting electrolyte drinks to make health claims beyond their current limited permissions.

FSANZ says manufacturers would only be allowed to make scientifically substantiated health claims, such as how beneficial the drinks are for the replacement of fluid, carbohydrates and electrolytes lost as a result of sustained strenuous physical activity.

Currently sports drinks contain too much sugar - around eight teaspoons per average drink - to allow manufacturers to make health claims.

The Obesity Policy Coalition (OPC) is concerned that allowing manufacturers to promote these claims will result in the sugar content of the drinks being glossed over, creating the impression sports drinks are beneficial for everyone.

OPC's Jane Martin said on Wednesday the new health claims would only be relevant to serious sportspeople.

"However, currently these products are marketed to and consumed by large numbers of Australians," she said.

"This change has potential to add to the impression that these products are beneficial for anyone who engages in sport."

The OPC is made up of the Cancer Council Victoria, Diabetes Australia (Victoria), VicHealth and Deakin University's World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention.

The public consultation is open until 30 September.