Wrongful death from pure caffeine prompts FDA to issue warning.
A study published in Food and Chemical Toxicology looked at caffeine consumption in the United States. Most of the caffeine we consume every day comes from beverages; from carbonated soft drinks, tea, energy drinks and shots, coffee, and some fruit flavored beverages. The introduction of beverages such as energy drinks and energy shots changed the landscape … Read more
The FDA’s Michael Taylor has released an article in FDA Voice discussing the limits officials are considering putting on caffeine in consumer products. While many products contain caffeine, some naturally and some added, some products, particularly energy drinks, have come under fire in recent years for having too much of the stimulant. Companies are adding caffeine … Read more
A little more than a week after introducing its latest chewing gum product, the William Wrigley Jr Co. has temporarily removed Alert Energy Caffeine Gum from the market while the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rethinks its stance on caffeine as a food additive. The gum, which was rolled out in late April, was … Read more
The rollout of Alert Energy Caffeine Gum by the William Wrigley Jr Co. this week has prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to rethink the impact that caffeine as a food additive could have on children and teens. One piece of the gum, which is sold in eight-piece bubble packs, has about as … Read more
A study just published in the online version of JAMA Internal Medicine has found that more than half of all caffeinated dietary supplements carry inaccurate labels. Those products, such as Monster Energy Drink and 5-hour Energy, are being investigated by the FDA because they have been associated with illnesses and death. In fact, Monster Beverages … Read more
The web ad for 5-hour Energy drink has, at least for now, stopped running a web ad criticized by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). Last week Food Poisoning Bulletin told you about the ad, which showed CSPI Executive Director Michael F. Jacobson saying it’s difficult to die from caffeine because “Someone … Read more
The Center for Science in the Public Interest is warning consumers not to believe a new web ad for 5-hour Energy. The controversial drink is being investigated for its alleged role in 13 deaths. There have been reports from 92 people who became ill after using the product. The product is sold as a “nutritional … Read more
Monster Beverages is being sued by the family of a 14-year-old girl from Maryland who died in December 11, 2011. She developed a heart arrhythmia after drinking cans of Monster Energy drink that is very high in caffeine. The lawsuit alleges that Monster did not warn about the health risks of its drinks. The drinks, … Read more
A new study published in the July 2012 Marine Pollution Bulletin has found elevated levels of caffeine in the Pacific ocean waters off the coast of Oregon. Scientists from Portland State University and Washington State University in Vancouver included caffeine, a biologically active drug, in their survey of pollutants. Caffeine is a contaminant of freshwater … Read more