New Guidance on Caffeine in Food Supplements: What You Need to Know

On September 25, 2024, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) issued important guidance on caffeine in food supplements. This new guidance aims to promote safe consumption and manufacturing practices for supplements containing high levels of caffeine.

The Driver for New Guidelines

The need for these updated guidelines following an incident in January 2021 when personal trainer Tom Mansfield, from Colwyn Bay, took caffeine powder which was equivalent to up to 200 cups of coffee. According to a BBC report, “Mr Mansfield tried to weigh a dose of the powder within a range of 60 milligrams to 300 milligrams using a scale that had a weighing range of 2g-5,000g, meaning he ended up consuming several grams”.

Since this unfortunate event, a cross-government working group has considered broader issues surrounding the sale and consumption of caffeine supplements, including commissioning additional research.

Key Findings from Consumer Research

The FSA and FSS conducted surveys and research that revealed concerning trends in consumer behaviour and knowledge:

• Less than half of the people surveyed reported looking for dosage instructions on supplement labels.
• Twenty percent of respondents admitted to not reading supplement labels at all.
• Many consumers demonstrated limited or no knowledge about the presence of caffeine in food supplements.

These findings underscore the importance of clear guidance and improved consumer education regarding caffeine-containing supplements.

Recommended Caffeine Intake Levels

The new guidance provides clear recommendations for safe caffeine consumption:

•  For healthy adults: Caffeine intakes of up to 400 mg per day are unlikely to cause adverse effects.
• For pregnant women: A limit of 200mg per day is recommended.

It is vital to note that these limits apply to total caffeine intake from all sources, including coffee, tea, energy drinks, and supplements.

Potential Risks of Excessive Caffeine Consumption

At very high levels, caffeine can lead to a number of adverse effects, including:

• Anxiety
• Sleeplessness
• Agitation
• Palpitations
• Diarrhoea
• Restlessness

For people with mental health conditions, excessive caffeine intake can exacerbate psychosis. These effects may be more pronounced in people who are caffeine-sensitive or have underlying health issues such as heart disease or high blood pressure.

Guidance for Consumers

The FSA and FSS offer some clear recommendations for consumers in the September 25th press release:

1. Be mindful of total caffeine intake from all sources, including supplements.
2. Always follow dosage instructions on supplement labels.
3. Use appropriate measuring equipment for accurate dosing, especially with pure caffeine powder or highly concentrated supplements.
4. If experiencing side effects like sleeplessness or agitation, consider the amount of caffeine consumed from supplements in addition to other dietary sources.
5. Pregnant women should be particularly cautious and limit their daily caffeine consumption to 200mg.

A Reminder for Businesses

The guidance also addresses food business operators, prompting them to remember their responsibilities to customers:

1. Supply safe food products that comply with food labelling and compositional requirements.
2. Provide clear and accurate information on caffeine content and recommended dosages.
3. Include appropriate warnings on higher-dose caffeine products, particularly regarding use by children and pregnant women.
4. Ensure accuracy of provided measuring devices for powdered or liquid supplements.
5. Conduct regular quality control checks on measuring instruments and provide adequate staff training.

Recent research indicates a need for more specific guidelines on caffeine supplement use, especially for female athletes. This research is driving a larger effort by food safety authorities to update recommendations in response to the increased use of these supplements by athletes and fitness enthusiasts. It has also highlighted the need for tailored recommendations for specific groups, particularly female athletes.

The new FSA and FSS guidance on caffeine in food supplements represents an important step in promoting consumer safety and awareness. By providing clear recommendations for both consumers and businesses, these guidelines aim to prevent tragic incidents and ensure the responsible use of caffeine-containing supplements.

The guidelines encourage consumers to stay informed about the caffeine content in their diets and supplements. Reading labels carefully, following dosage instructions, and being aware of total caffeine intake from all sources is important.

At Taylored Consultancy we specialise in providing expert regulatory affairs consulting services to food manufacturers and distributors across the UK and EU. We’d love to hear from you if you have any questions about how your products may be impacted by these new FSA and FSS guidelines.

‍