FDA issues new warnings to distributors of powdered caffeine, calling products ‘dangerous’

The Food and Drug Administration recently sent warning letters to five distributors of powdered caffeine, saying the products, which are marketed as dietary supplements, present a serious health risk if taken in too high a dose.

The move signals an ongoing effort by federal regulators to rein in sales of the stimulant in its pure form, after overdoses of powdered caffeine resulted in the death of two otherwise healthy young men in Ohio and Georgia last year.

Government officials specifically cited the varied labels and serving sizes listed by the distributors, which they said could lead consumers to misinterpret or imprecisely measure how much to use. The FDA noted in its letters that a single teaspoon of pure, powdered caffeine is roughly equivalent to the amount in 28 cups of coffee. It noted that consuming as little as a teaspoon of the stimulant has been associated with nausea, vomiting, anxiety and heart palpitations, while consuming a tablespoon can result in more serious problems, such as chest pains, irregular heartbeat, seizures and, in some cases, death.

source : http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/09/01/fda-issues-new-warnings-to-distributors-of-powdered-caffeine-calling-products-dangerous/