Brussels, 29/05/2015 (Agence Europe) - In a Scientific opinion published on 27 May, the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) confirmed that single daily doses of caffeine of up to 200 mg and total daily intake of caffeine up to 400 mg (around 5 cups of coffee) do not raise any safety concerns for the general adult population in good health, apart from pregnant women, who should restrict their daily intake to 200 mg.
This final opinion on the safety of caffeine consumption from all the sources, confirms and completes the provisional opinion published in January (see EUROPE 1233). On the basis of an evaluation of different consumption levels that it carried out, EFSA concludes occasional sharp intakes or daily consumption do not present a problem for adults in good health.
EFSA did not assess the risks to people with specific medical conditions or suffering from illness. Neither did it evaluate the effects of caffeine combined with alcohol on health. It also acknowledged that there was a lack of data on caffeine safety among children and caffeine intake from food supplements.
The opinion is therefore primarily concerned with providing advice on caffeine consumption from all sources of food in combination with physical exercise, possible risks if caffeine is consumed with alcohol, the other substances contained in so-called energy drinks and with p-synephrine, a substance that is increasingly used in food supplements.
Monique Goyens, Director-General of BEUC, said: “We appreciate EFSA's efforts to address the comments made during the consultation phase by clarifying and which conditions its advice applies”.
The Commission requested an opinion from EFSA because some member states were concerned about the harmful health effects of coffee consumption, particularly with regard to cardiovascular disease, problems linked to the central nervous system (poor sleep patterns and anxiety) and the possible health risks to the foetus among pregnant women. EFSA has also published a summary for the general public to explain the conclusions and the context of its scientific opinion. (Aminata Niang)