EFSA Publishes Scientific Opinion on Caffeine: Confirms Daily Intakes that Do Not Raise Safety Concerns and Invites Public Comment
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently published its Scientific Opinion on Caffeine Safety.
The document addresses concerns raised by national and international bodies in relation to caffeine consumption in certain circumstances and age groups. Key findings are as follows:
- Single doses of caffeine up to 200 milligrams (mg) and daily intakes of up to 400mg do not raise safety concerns for adults in Europe.
- Single doses of caffeine up to 200mg do not raise safety concerns for adults (18-65 years) also when consumed less than two hours before intense exercise.
- It is unlikely that caffeine interacts adversely with other constituents of “energy drinks” – such as taurine and D-glucurono-γ-lactone – or alcohol.
- For pregnant women, caffeine intakes of up to 200mg a day do not raise safety concerns for the fetus.
- For children (3-10 years) and adolescents (10-18 years), daily intakes of 3mg per kg of body weight are considered safe.
- Single doses of 100mg may increase sleep latency (the amount of time it takes to fall asleep) and shorten sleeping time in some adults.