OTTAWA - Health Canada has given the nod to about 20 energy shot drinks to be sold in the country, the Globe and Mail reports. In January, a cap of 180 milligrams of caffeine per single-serving size in energy beverages went into effect. The health department is also now monitoring energy drinks as food and will develop new labeling regulations.

However, energy shots fall under "natural health products," and are not subject to the same rules. Health Canada have licensed approximately 20 energy shots that contain between 100 milligrams and 200 milligrams of caffeine each.

The popularity of both energy drinks and energy shots has some legislators concerned in both Canada and the United States, where Congress recently asked energy drink companies for information on the marketing claims of their products. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has commenced investigations into reports of a possible link between energy beverages/shots and deaths.

Most of the products now with licenses had been selling products in Canada under an "exemption number," but have now been granted full selling status. Health Canada looks into natural health products individually before granting licenses.

Some of the changes Health Canada asked the energy drink companies to make included additional labeled warnings, such as noting the product is not recommended for kids, or pregnant or breastfeeding women, said RAGE Beverages Inc.