A member of the European Parliament is campaigning for alcoholic drinks containing caffeine to be banned.

Catherine Stihler, a Labour Party MEP from Scotland, wants Parliament to press the European Commission for action on the drinks.

Her call follows widespread criticism of Buckfast Tonic Wine, which contains alcohol and caffeine and has been mentioned in police reports on around 450 violent crimes in Scotland over the past three years.

Across the Atlantic, the US Food & Drug Administration is already investigating whether or not to ban pre-mixed alcoholic drinks that contain caffeine.

It remains unclear whether a similar investigation will follow in the EU.

A health spokesperson for the European Commission told just-drinks last night (27 January) that no agenda will be set until a new set of Commissioners has been installed in Brussels.

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A new European Commission is expected to take up a five-year term of office by mid-February.

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