397 Regulations and Marketing of Energy Drinks in the United States: A Survey of University Student Beliefs about Caffeine Consumption

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: To understand how energy drinks are marketed and regulated and the effects of these policies on adolescent consumption and perceptions of the product. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: A review of research studies using the PubMed database (PubMed.gov); clinical trials (clinicaltrials.gov); FDA Recall, Market Withdrawals, and Safety Alerts (FDA.gov); and emergency department (ED) visits from reports from the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) were conducted. A survey is being designed and will be sent to undergraduate and graduate university students through advertised QR codes and university email chains sent out to student organizations and courses. The survey will determine the percentage of respondents who consume caffeine, the frequency in which individuals consume caffeine, and reasons for consuming caffeine. The survey also seeks to understand perceptions and thoughts on energy drinks and caffeine regulation and consumption. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: From January 1st, 2000, to August 5th, 2022, 112 research studies investigated the physiological impact of energy drinks on adolescents, and 13 clinical trials from the age group of 0-17 were conducted. No FDA recalls have been observed for energy drinks or the top 4 brands within the US (by sales; Red Bull, Monster, Bang Energy, Rockstar), though some recalls regarding container manufacturing were made outside the US. ED visits from energy drinks doubled from 2007 to 2011 with 1/10 of them resulting in hospitalization. 58% of the total ED visits were exclusively related to energy drinks. It is anticipated that survey results will indicate trends of frequent caffeine/energy drink consumption among college students for studying, but students will not have a clear understanding of recommended caffeine intake. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Due to the lack of regulations and studies surrounding energy drinks, the dangers (as seen from ER visits) to public health are concerning. Regulatory agencies should invest in developing new protocols or regulations regarding the content of energy drinks as well as find ways to monitor the marketing strategies more closely behind them.