Newsletter
NEW REQUIREMENT FOR WARNING STATEMENT FOR BEVERAGES CONTAINING CAFFEINE
On September 8, 2005, Bureau of Food Sanita-tion, Department of Health (DOH) made an advance notice regarding a proposed new ac-quirement for warning statements on containers and/or packaging of various beverages contain-ing caffeine. The proposal is based on Item 6, Paragraph One, Article 17 of the Food Sanitation Control Act.
According to relevant studies, for ordinary peo-ple, the consumption of an appropriate amount of beverages containing caffeine (approximately below 300mg of caffeine per day) should not have any adverse impact on human health. However, if a child consumes an excessive amount of caffeine, it will cause the child to suffer disordered behavior such as temporary excitement and/or anxiety. Pregnant and/or lac-tating females should also refrain form drinking any beverage containing excessive amount of caffeine so as to avoid affecting the health of the unborn child or the new-born. Recent reports also suggested that some people do suffer from palpitation, anxiety, or insomnia as a result of drinking beverages containing excessive caf-feine.
Thus the DOH intends to require a warning statement on the containers and/or packaging of all beverages as follows: "The total amount of caffeine consumption by ordinary people should be less than 300mg per day. This beverage in not suitable for consumption by children, preg-nant/lactating females, and caffeine-sensitive persons." By providing clear information on the effects of caffeine, the statement will enable consumers to make an informed decision in se-lecting beverages. The draft is yet to be finalized by the DOH.