The Food and Drug administration is still in the midst of developing regulation for the addition of caffeine to common food products, reports The Food Institute.
The Food and Drug administration is still in the midst of developing regulation for the addition of caffeine to common food products, reports The Food Institute. According to EUROMONITOR INTERNATIONAL, caffeinated foods created more than $1.6 billion in domestic retail sales last year. Sales are up nearly 50% compared with five years ago. The FDA however, has only approved the addition of caffeine once since 1950, for cola.
“It’s a trend that raises real concerns,” stated Michael Taylor, one of the FDA’s top food safety officials. “We have to figure out, what are the right ways to approach this? Isn’t it time to pause and exercise some restraint?”
With the voluntary halt in production by WM. WRIGLEY JR. Company’s, ‘Alert Energy Caffeine Gum,’ the company is only stopping production “out of respect for the FDA,” stated Wrigley. “A new regulatory framework,” is needed regarding caffeinated food and drinks.
WIRED WYATT’S, L.L.C., based out of Marysville, WA is the producer of ‘Wired Waffles’ and ‘ Wired Wyatt’s Caffeinated Maple Syrup,’ a breakfast food that has caffeine added for an energy-boost. Founder, Roger Sullivan stated, “This is something that’s going to continue to grow.” Mr. Sullivan added that his product is popular with endurance runners, long haul-truck drivers and the sleep-deprived college student.
Four to five cups of coffee, 400 milligrams of caffeine per day, is usually safe for adults. The FDA requires manufactures to include caffeine on their list of ingredients, but they are not required to list the quantity of the drug in each product. There is no established amount of caffeine with regards to children; the AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS, however, discourages all caffeine in children’s diets.
“At Wired Wyatt’s our Wired Waffles and our Caffeinated Maple Syrup have the quantity of caffeine on the label clearly marked. As a pioneer in the caffeinated snack industry we advocate this open labeling. The consumers have a right to know exactly what they are consuming,” stated Mr. Sullivan. Adding that he
approves of stricter marketing and labeling standards targeting children, Mr. Sullivan acknowledges that his products are “intended to be consumed by responsible adults.”
When asked if he will cease production despite the FDA’s concern, Mr. Sullivan stated, “That’s not going to happen,” reported The Washington Post.