By Anastasia Beth Loper
As an addendum to the work Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s community nutrition educator Maryann Birmingham has done, and continues to do, on the dangers of “Energy Drinks,” the death of an 18-year-old young man in Ohio this past spring from ingesting too large a dose of pure Caffeine Powder sparked the urgent need for the public and Suffolk County Legislature to be informed of the extreme dangers of these products.
Dr. Zahrine Bajwa, Team coordinator of EFNEP/ESNY at Cornell Cooperative Extension, and Ms. Birmingham attended a Legislative Hearing meeting on September 9, 2014. Ms. Birmingham spoke about these products, disseminate some pertinent research-backed information and even had a sample bottle of Caffeine Powder capsules that she purchased at a local CVS, for them to see.
Dr. William Spencer, Legislator from District 18, agreed immediately to sponsor legislation banning the sale of caffeine products to minors. Thanks to Dr. Spencer, and co-sponsor Leg. DuWayne Gregory, legislation was passed and signed into law by Suffolk County Executive, Steve Bellone, on November 5, 2014. According to Suffolk County, “it is the first ban on sale of powdered caffeine to minors adopted by any municipality in the country.”
“I applaud Presiding Officer Gregory, Legislator Spencer and the Suffolk County Legislature for unanimously approving the adoption of legislation banning the sale of powdered caffeine to minors,” said County Executive Bellone. “Powdered caffeine is a dangerous substance that can kill as evidenced by the death of eighteen year old Logan J. Stiner of LaGrange Ohio. I support this ban on the sale to minors and thank the legislature for continually taking steps to protect Suffolk County residents.”
“I want to thank County Executive Bellone for his quick action to sign this bill into law,” said PO Gregory. “Powdered caffeine is a dangerous health threat to everyone, but especially minors. A single teaspoon of powdered caffeine is the equivalent of 25 cups of coffee, and the potential for overdose and abuse is a clear and present danger. We are hopeful the FDA will adopt a similar ban and carefully regulate dosage recommendations as well as requiring prominent warning labels.”
After the signing, Suffolk County Executive Bellone personally thanked Ms. Birmingham and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County for her work contributing to the new law. Said Ms. Birmingham, “A proud moment for me, as well as CCE!”
Anastasia Loper is a Senior Administrative Assistant and manages the social media programs for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County’s Family Health and Wellness Program. She can be reached at 631-727-7850 ext. 340 or at abl98@cornell.edu.