Caffeine is present naturally in many foods and drinks, including tea, coffee and chocolate. The FDA does not regulate naturally occurring caffeine in foods, but does create regulations regarding the addition of caffeine to foodstuffs. These include energy drinks and sodas which contain caffeine. Some people are more susceptible than others to the effects of caffeine. Consult your doctor if you are concerned about caffeine and its effect on your health.
Regulations
Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938, caffeine should not be intentionally added to a food or drink except in certain situations: when FDA regulations approve a specific use; when the substance is previously sanctioned for use; or when the substance is on the Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) list. A 1978 FDA review of caffeine indicated that it is not appropriate for inclusion on the GRAS list.
Caffeine in Alcoholic Drinks
In 2009, the FDA was alerted to public and official concern regarding caffeinated alcoholic drinks for sale in the U.S. market. Examples of such caffeinated alcoholic beverages include Sparks, Bud Extra and Tilt. The FDA had previously approved the addition of caffeine to soft drinks at a concentration less than 200 parts per million. The FDA had not approved caffeine additives in the case of alcoholic beverages, and the manufacturers of such drinks in the U.S. agreed to discontinue these products.
Consumption Levels
The FDA considered average consumption levels of caffeine added to cola-type beverages, measuring the amount of caffeine additive consumed by each person in milligrams per kilogram of body weight. In 1978, an individual who drank cola on a regular basis was estimated to consume 0.3 mg per kilogram of caffeine additive daily. Some cola drinkers consumed up to 1.8 mg per kilogram daily. A 12-oz. cola beverage with 0.01 percent caffeine content represents 0.6 mg/kg for an adult, 0.9 mg/kg for a child weighing 40 kg.
Effects
The FDA reports that as little as 2 mg/kg of caffeine will have a stimulating effect on the central nervous system; at 4 mg/kg, the caffeine may increase your blood pressure. The FDA reports certain animal studies indicating decreased fertility when high daily doses of caffeine -- 80 mg/kg daily, for example -- were administered. Caffeine consumption by children may cause behavioral changes, as the brain of a child appears more sensitive to caffeine's effects than the brain of an adult.
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