FSA issues urgent guidelines on caffeine consumption after fatal overdose

Caffeine is mainly found in beverages such as coffee, tea and energy drinks.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) have issued new guidelines on the safe use of caffeine in food supplements. The aim of this measure is to protect consumers and encourage manufacturers to ensure accurate labelling of products with high caffeine content.

Because caffeine occurs naturally in a range of foods and beverages, such as coffee, tea and energy drinks, the FSA and FSS advise consumers to carefully monitor their overall intake, particularly when taking supplements. While caffeine intake of up to 400mg per day is considered safe for most adults, the guidance recommends that pregnant women limit their consumption to 200mg per day. This is equivalent to about two cups of instant coffee or one cup of filter coffee.

The publication of these guidelines followed an incident in the UK in which a man died because he miscalculated the amount of caffeine powder he used and accidentally consumed the equivalent of up to 200 cups of coffee. The case highlighted the potential dangers of highly concentrated caffeine supplements. In addition, a survey found that less than half of consumers check dosage instructions when using supplements, and 20 percent admitted that they do not read the label at all.

Professor Robin May, chief scientific adviser to the FSA, expressed concern about widespread ignorance about the caffeine content of food supplements. He said: “Although caffeine occurs naturally in many foods, we have evidence that people are unaware of the higher caffeine content in some food supplements and the associated risks. Pure and highly concentrated caffeine supplements such as caffeine powder can be extremely potent, so you should always follow the dosage instructions on the label and use appropriate measuring equipment to ensure the dosage is correct.”

Updated caffeine policy

To address these concerns, FSA and FSS worked with other government agencies to consolidate existing information for consumers and businesses. The updated guidance, available on their website, provides easily accessible resources to promote safe consumption practices.

Caffeine, especially in high doses, can cause side effects such as anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, diarrhea, and heart palpitations. Symptoms may be more severe in people with underlying medical conditions such as heart disease and high blood pressure, or in people who are sensitive to caffeine. In addition, in people with mental illness, high intake may worsen symptoms of psychosis.

Given these risks, companies are reminded of their responsibility to comply with labelling and composition rules. This includes ensuring that products with high caffeine content carry appropriate warnings, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women.

The guidelines stress the importance of consumer safety, with both agencies urging consumers to check labels and monitor their overall intake.