Family sized 1.2 litre bottles of the “high in sugar and caffeine” drinks are now available on supermarket shelves.

Dr Clark said there were a number of health issues that could result from consuming the drinks.

He also said the increased volume of the drink means customers, including children, will increase their intake.

“Because it is in a family sized bottle doesn’t mean it will be shared out equally. It inevitably means the consumer will increase their intake,” Dr Clark said.

Mr Clark said he was concerned the product was targeting families and as a result children.

“Kids just do not need this,” he said. “Just in one of those small cans of drink there is seven spoons of sugar.”

He said consuming similar drinks can have a domino effect on eating habits.

“The more sugar you have in your diet, the more sugar you want,” Dr Clark said.

He said the caffeine found in the drinks makes it even worse.

“Children should have no more than 100 milligrams of caffeine a day,” he said.

“Those small cans alone can have 80 milligrams in them.

“And you have to remember kids can’t tolerate the same amount of caffeine as adults.”

He said the drinks can not only lead to health issues but in turn can also affect mental health.

“The sugar in these drinks can have an effect on people’s weight and in turn cause problems with self esteem and even depression,” he said. “We have a big enough problem with weight in this country as it is.”

He said other health issues include lethargy, cancer and diabetes and urged parents to provide their children with more water and even milk as a much healthier and cost effective option.

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