The Minister for Health and the Food Safety Authority should investigate the possible side-effects of the drink Red Bull, the Green Party TD Mr John Gormley has said.
The call follows a recommendation for research into the safety of stimulant drinks by an inquest jury investigating the death of an 18-year-old Limerick basketball player. The jury recorded that Mr Ross Cooney, of Mallow Road, Limerick, had died of unexplained Sudden Adult Death Syndrome.
It had heard evidence that Mr Cooney drank up to three cans of Red Bull before he collapsed during a basketball tournament. However, the jury heard no evidence that Red Bull was responsible for his death.
The inquest was also told by the student's parents that he had a slight heart murmur, which was diagnosed at six months, but was given the all-clear at 14 months.
A representative of Red Bull in Austria, Dr Volker Viechtbauer, said Red Bull was sold in 44 countries and had never been banned anywhere. He had never received any report of a person dying after consuming it.
Mr Gormley said: "At the very least drinks such as Red Bull carry very high levels of caffeine and should carry a comprehensive warning and not just a passing reference to caffeine allergies and a warning to diabetics. In particular, the Minister needs to examine if there are any serious side-effects when stimulant drinks are mixed with alcohol."
Red Bull carries the warning that it "is not suitable for diabetics, children and persons sensitive to caffeine". Mr Gormley asked: "Can the prolonged and sustained drinking of stimulant drinks cause damage in the long term and should stimulant drinks be used in combination with any form of strenuous or athletic activity? These and other questions need to be answered comprehensively by the Minister."
The Food Safety Authority has said Red Bull contains three active ingredients - caffeine, glucuronolactone and taurine.