This authorization is the result of an agreement made between the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Red Bull company last May, although with reservations expressed by health authorities. Nice Premium investigated the issue: Does Red Bull have a significant consumption rate in the Azurean capital? Could this recipe change alter the habits of partygoers, owners of nightlife venues, or late-night grocery stores? Even though the sale of the genuine Red Bull has been approved, the debate continues. As evidence, Roseline Bachelot, the health minister, suggests parents boycott this drink as a precaution. She believes the beverage poses a risk, as she stated on LCI on Wednesday: “There are numerous indicators supporting the existence of a risk, including suspicions of deaths in Sweden and Ireland and cases of neurotoxicities.”
In Nice, the debate is far from scientific, but opinions are divided. “Honestly, I don’t think this recipe change will change anything. If you drank Red Bull before, you’ll continue to drink it now. Partygoers have their habits, and they’re not going to change everything just for a recipe adjustment…” comments Hamdi, 22, a young local from Nice. If this change doesn’t seem to disturb the microcosm of Nice’s nightlife, the sentiment is the same among bar managers: “No, our customers’ habits will remain the same, they’ll continue to order their Vodka-Red Bull, regardless of the recipe or brand; here we sell Dark Dog (Red Bull’s main competitor) and we never have complaints. Ask, for example, the Italians what they think, and you’ll get the same responses…” explains Nicolas, 33, a waiter at Wayne’s.
While some consider this change to be a minor issue, others find that the widespread availability of this drink can be dangerous, like Chantal, who manages the Opéra plage in Nice: “We don’t sell this brand. I’m cautious because we don’t have enough hindsight on Red Bull and its effects on health; it remains a stimulant, and one of the consequences could be addiction to alcohol. We are a beach where we are fortunate enough to relax, let’s leave Red Bull to nightclubs and clubbers…”
Now, wherever you are, in Spain, Austria, or France, you won’t feel out of place and can enjoy the same beloved Red Bull.
