Canada Sets New Limits for Caffeine in Energy Drinks

To help families make informed choices when it comes to energy drinks, the Canadian Government announced new measures to provide consumers with more information about these popular beverages.

Until now, energy drinks were classified as a Natural Health Product (NHP), and as a result, manufacturers were not required to put a nutrition facts table on the products. After this change, most energy drinks will be classified in legal terms as a food, as they are in the U.S. This means that the nutrition facts table will be on every can, and inspection powers will rest with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Health Canada's new measures include requirements to:

• limit the amount of caffeine that can be included in an energy drink to 180 mg in a single serving (equivalent to approximately that which can be found in a medium coffee).
• indicate the levels of caffeine in the product in addition to current requirements that labels identify groups for whom high levels of caffeine are not recommended (such as children and pregnant or breastfeeding women).
• include ingredient, nutrition, and allergen declarations on the label, as with all other foods.
• ensure that types and levels of vitamins and minerals are within safe levels.
• include a warning statement advising that it not be mixed with alcohol.

Energy drink makers would also be required to report to Health Canada any consumer health complaints associated with the products, and to submit more detailed information on consumption and sales of energy drinks. This information will help the department monitor the drinks and determine if additional safety requirements are needed.

The new measures are geared to help Canadians make informed decisions about these products, reducing the chances of over consumption of caffeine and other ingredients, such as vitamins. They will also make it easier for parents to monitor the caffeine intake of their children and teens.

Health Canada will be working with industry over the next six months to coordinate this transition. It is expected that products would meet the new requirements within the next 18 to 24 months.