American Beverage Association Confident of Caffeine Safety

11/12/07 In response to the decision by the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee (DARTIC) of California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) to examine caffeine under Proposition 65, Susan Neely, president and CEO for the lobby group American Beverage Association (ABA), said: “The vast body of available science supports that the caffeine contained in our products is safe for consumption.  Many have reached this conclusion and we believe California’s Committee will reach the same conclusion after they review all the data on caffeine.”

The California state advisory board on Monday called for a study to determine if sodas and energy drinks containing caffeine pose a risk to pregnant women. The review could lead to warning labels on the drinks under Proposition 65, a 1986 ballot measure that requires the state to identify chemicals that could cause cancer or birth defects

Neely responded by saying, “ Moderate caffeine consumption has been repeatedly recognized as safe by a wide range of experts and government agencies. Caffeine is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in soft drinks, coffees and teas, and chocolate products, among others.  Numerous health organizations – including Health Canada and the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists – all advise that up to 300 milligrams of caffeine per day is acceptable during pregnancy.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides similar advice, allowing up to two servings of coffee per day.  Further, the March of Dimes, a well-respected non-profit dedicated to healthy babies, notes that most experts consider daily consumption of up to two cups of brewed coffee – a beverage that contains up to three times as much caffeine as soft drinks - safe during pregnancy.”