Consumer advice for food supplements containing caffeine
A food supplement is defined as 'any food the purpose of which is to supplement the normal diet, and which is a concentrated source of a vitamin or mineral or other substance with a nutritional or physiological effect, alone or in combination and is sold in dose form'.
A wide range of nutrients and other ingredients might be present in food supplements. These can include:
Food supplements are only intended to 'supplement' people's diets and should not be used to replace a varied, healthy diet.
Food supplements are not medicines, and their use is not intended to treat, cure, or prevent diseases in humans.
Caffeine is a substance that is found naturally in many products such as tea and coffee and it is one of the most widely consumed stimulants worldwide.
Caffeine is commonly added to food supplements, and it is often marketed with physiological effects such as increased focus and performance enhancement. Caffeine is not a vitamin or mineral, but it does fit the definition of a substance with a physiological effect, and it can therefore be used as an ingredient in food supplements.
Caffeine food supplements can often contain high levels of caffeine, sometimes from multiple ingredients which may themselves be a source of caffeine intake (e.g. kola nuts, guarana, certain tea leaves such as black tea etc). As caffeine is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, stimulatory effects may begin 15 to 30 minutes after ingestion and may last for a number of hours exerting physiological effects or leading to side effects (e.g. headaches, nausea etc).
Caffeine is found in a variety of food supplements, including:
For most individuals, based on the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2015 opinion, caffeine intakes of up 400mg per day are unlikely to cause adverse effects. However, individuals who are sensitive to caffeine at low doses and/or individuals with underlying health conditions may experience some side effects such as jitteriness, anxiety or difficulty concentrating.
The National Health Service (NHS) Scotland Website, Ready, Steady Baby! advises to not consume over 200mg of caffeine a day during pregnancy. The EFSA opinion advises that ‘Habitual caffeine consumption up to 200 mg per day by pregnant women does not give rise to safety concerns for the foetus. Single doses of caffeine and habitual caffeine intakes up to 200 mg consumed by lactating women do not give rise to safety concerns for breastfed infants.’
High levels of caffeine can cause:
These effects may be more severe in individuals who are caffeine sensitive and/or have underlying health issues such as heart disease or high blood pressure, and effects may occur at lower doses.
Excessive caffeine consumption is associated with a number of serious adverse effects such as rapid heart rate, abnormal heart rhythms and seizures, which have been observed at intakes of approximately 1.2 grams (1,200 mg) of caffeine. Caffeine intakes of above 10-14 grams (10,000-10,400 mg) have been reported to be fatal, although smaller doses can also be life-threatening to sensitive populations. These cases have occurred where pure caffeine has been measured incorrectly.
It's important to note that the daily caffeine intake of up to 400 mg for healthy adults and up to 200 mg for pregnant women encompasses all sources of caffeine. This can sometimes be a single product or combination of products. This means that when monitoring your caffeine intake, you should consider the cumulative amount from all caffeinated products you consume throughout the day. For example, common sources of caffeine include:
As with all food supplements, read the label and be mindful of your caffeine intake.
Neglecting to check the caffeine content per serving could lead to consuming excessive amounts, potentially resulting in adverse effects.
To avoid excessive caffeine consumption:
Relying on alternative methods of measurement, such as estimation, increases the likelihood of inaccuracies in dosage, potentially leading to unintended health consequences. Never guess the measurement.
Always seek professional guidance when unsure about supplement usage or dosage.
Ignoring advice from healthcare professionals may result in inappropriate dosage or usage, potentially exacerbating health issues or interfering with other medications.
When consuming 100% caffeine powder, which is the most concentrated form of caffeine that can be found on the UK market, always follow the dose stated on the label.
Be sure to use appropriate measuring equipment to precisely measure the quantity so as to not exceed the stated dose.
If you believe a food supplement containing caffeine which has been supplied is either harmful to health, unfit for people to eat or if it exceeds suggested safe levels or does not meet legal requirements, you should report the issue to your local authority.
