Caffeine consumption guidelines do not need to change, health chiefs have said, despite the death of a man who ate high-caffeine energy mints.
Concern over current advice - which states that children, pregnant women and those sensitive to caffeine should limit consumption - emerged following the inquest into the death of John Jackson. The 40-year-old Walsall man, who had cirrhosis of the liver that left him unable to absorb caffeine properly, died last May after reportedly consuming a whole pack of Hero Instant Energy Mints.
Coroner Robin Balmain consequently wrote to the Department of Health to raise concerns that there was little information about caffeine levels in the mints and of the dangers of consuming large amounts of it.
Caffeine labelling
Currently, only drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre must state they have a ‘high caffeine content’. This will change from 13 December this year when new labelling legislation comes into force that will require high-caffeine drinks, and foods - where caffeine has been added for a “physiological effect” - to state the amount of caffeine and the words: ‘Contains caffeine. Not recommended for children or pregnant women.’
Health secretary Jeremy Hunt has now replied to Balmain, stating: “I do not think this unfortunate death raises concerns for the general population or requires a change to government advice on caffeine consumption”.
Hunt added that wide reporting of Jackson’s inquest - which heard he had 155mg of caffeine per litre of blood in his system, far above levels that would be considered an overdose - had highlighted the dangers of excessive caffeine consumption.
His response also said Hero Energy Mints - which contain about 80mg of caffeine per mint, the same as a 250ml can of Red Bull - were regulated as a food and met the requirements of health claims legislation. Hero’s packaging states the amount of caffeine in each mint and warns they contain high levels of caffeine, are not recommended for women, under-16s or those sensitive to caffeine, and that no more than five should be consumed in a day.
Currently, there are no specific limits on the caffeine content of food and drink, and guidelines on consumption state that children and the caffeine-sensitive should only consume it in moderation. Pregnant women are advised not to have more than 200mg of caffeine a day.
While Jackson’s death will not alter these guidelines, they may be revised in future as the European Food Safety Authority is conducting research on safe daily intake of caffeine. This is due to complete by the end of this year and the Food Standards Agency will consider the results to determine if advice given to UK consumers needs to change.
No comments yet