Coke pushes RPS to sell energy drinks

IU will be reentering into a contract with Coca-Cola, but $50,000 worth of the contract now depends on Residential Programs and Services’ decision to sell energy drinks.

Pat Connor, executive director of RPS, said Coke has written in the new contract that it wants RPS to sell all Coke energy drink lines. Selling these energy drinks is something RPS administration does not support, Connor said.

There are many concerns with having these energy drinks in stock, he said, but the main concern is the health aspects of the drinks.

“The question is, should RPS be carrying a product, which, in my opinion, encourages an unhealthy lifestyle?” he said.

RPS has six months to decide whether to stock its facilities with these energy drinks, Connor said.

If they decide not to carry the products, IU will have to forfeit $50,000 a year for the length of the five year contract, Connor said. When weighing options, RPS will take great consideration for the views of the students, he said.

If students strongly support energy drinks on campus, Connor said, it will be highly considered, but it doesn’t mean it will happen. The Residence Halls Association’s general assembly voted last week in favor of selling energy drinks. The issue has now gone to the RHA meal point committee for further consideration, Connor said.

Sandra Fowler, director of Dining Services, said she also has concerns about student health. Many students will be unaffected by drinking these drinks in large quantities, she said, but there are occasions where health problems can arise.

Fowler said this year RPS dining has been trying to promote healthy eating more than ever.

“Selling energy drinks will be going against our campaign for eating right,” she said.

If RPS does approve stocking energy drinks in its facilities, Fowler said, they will only be available in C-stores. She said there is limited room with the products already in stock. C-Stores are the only places able to feasibly stock the drinks, she said.

With many concerns dealing with student health, RPS Dietitian Rachel Noirat said she’s been explaining the pros and cons of the drinks with RPS. The major draw to the drinks is the sudden jolt of energy a person gets, Noirat said.

What students don’t realize is when the energy wears off, they will be worse off than before, she said.

“I think energy drinks are becoming a fad for college students because many are sleep deprived and stressed,” Noirat said.

When comparing the amount of caffeine in a typical energy drink to that of usual caffeinated beverages, she said it can often be much higher in energy drinks. She said a regular coffee has about 140 mg of caffeine.

“I have seen energy drinks with over 300 mg of caffeine,” Noirat said.
A can of pop has 40 to 50 mg of caffeine, but the suggested daily intake for caffeine is less than 300mg, she said.

Noirat said there are some pros, with newer energy drinks having B vitamins and ginseng in them. Most people get their daily amount of B vitamins and ginseng from fruit and vegetables though, she said.

Connor said there are secondary concerns with the use of the energy drinks. He said students do mix these drinks with alcohol, and it is proven that these drinks make a person feel the effects of alcohol faster.

Energy drinks are a relatively new product, Connor said.

“There are many concerns about the long-term health affects these drinks could cause,” he said.