Why was taurine banned in France? A complete history of the controversy
                                
                                
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                                    4 min read                                
                            
                                For twelve years, from 1996 to 2008, France controversially banned the sale of energy drinks containing taurine, citing precautionary health concerns. This national decision sparked a prolonged dispute with the European Union, pitting France's public health approach against the EU's free movement of goods principle. The complete history of the ban on taurine offers a fascinating look into the complexities of food safety regulation and international trade law.