Sotilaskotiliitto abandons energy drink project over health concerns

The Sotilaskotiliitto (Soldiers’ Home Association) has withdrawn from a project to produce its own energy drink, citing health risks linked to such products, according to the Finnish Defence Forces’ magazine Ruotuväki.

Association director Satu Mustalahti told Ruotuväki that the organisation did not want the Sotilaskoti name associated with a product known to cause harm. The decision to abandon the project was made in June.

A trial batch of the drink had already been released to market after development began earlier this year. The initiative was reportedly driven by the popularity of energy drinks among conscripts.

In June, Finland’s National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) proposed a legal ban on the sale of energy drinks to minors under 18, following research showing negative health effects, including elevated blood pressure and dental problems.