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FACTS ABOUT ENERGY DRINKS

Energy drinks, recognized as a safe food product by government food safety agencies worldwide, have been enjoyed by billions of people around the globe for more than 30 years.
A globe graphic that represents energy drinks being sold in more than 170 countries around the world.
Sold in 170+ countries

Energy drinks are popular non-alcoholic caffeinated beverages sold in more than 170 countries. Leading global health authorities including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Health Canada and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have reviewed the evidence on the safety of common ingredients found in mainstream energy drinks, including caffeine. Energy drinks and their ingredients are safe and can be consumed as part of a balanced diet.

16 FL OZ. ENERGY DRINK

A typical 16-ounce energy drink contains 160 milligrams of caffeine while an 8.4-ounce energy drink contains 80 milligrams of caffeine.

Regulatory Guidance

FDA states that 400 milligrams of caffeine a day is an amount "not generally associated with dangerous, negative effects" for healthy adults except for pregnant and nursing women. Furthermore, FDA and other leading regulatory authorities around the globe have concluded that 200 milligrams of caffeine is a safe amount for a single serving.

16 FL OZ. COFFEE

In contrast, the same size coffeehouse coffee typically contains around 300 to 330 milligrams of caffeine.

Caffeine Content in Common Beverages

A typical 16-ounce energy drink contains 160 milligrams of caffeine while an 8.4-ounce energy drink contains 80 milligrams of caffeine. By contrast, a 16-ounce coffeehouse coffee typically contains around 300 to 330 milligrams of caffeine.

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Safely consumed by Millions of Americans

Many ingredients commonly found in mainstream energy drinks, such as caffeine, B vitamins and taurine, are found naturally in many foods. Caffeine is safely consumed by millions of people every day in foods and beverages. Consuming an energy drink has the same physiological effect as drinking coffee or tea with comparable levels of caffeine. Whether naturally occurring or added, caffeine is caffeine, and provides the same effect to the body.

caffeine is CAFFEINE

Caffeine is caffeine, no matter the source. The caffeine in energy drinks is just like the caffeine in coffee and tea. The chemical structure of caffeine, whether natural or added, is identical. In fact, the human body can’t tell the difference whether you consume your caffeine from chocolate, coffee, tea or energy drinks.

Coffee & TEA ARE MORE POPULAR SourceS of Caffeine THAN ENERGY DRINKS

Energy drinks represent only one of many sources of caffeine. Coffee primarily contributes to most caffeine in the U.S. diet, including among teens. A study found that of the respondents who indicated consumption of caffeinated beverages, more than half reported consuming coffee (55%) and tea (53%) while 14% reported drinking chocolate milk, 4% reported consuming energy drinks and less than 1% reported drinking energy shots.

The American Beverage Association logo.
16 FL OZ. ENERGY DRINK

A typical 16-ounce energy drink contains 160 milligrams of caffeine while an 8.4-ounce energy drink contains 80 milligrams of caffeine.

A beverage container graphic paired with a statement about the FDA's regulatory guidance for caffeine intake.
Regulatory Guidance

FDA states that 400 milligrams of caffeine a day is an amount "not generally associated with dangerous, negative effects" for healthy adults except for pregnant and nursing women. Furthermore, FDA and other leading regulatory authorities around the globe have concluded that 200 milligrams of caffeine is a safe amount for a single serving.

16 FL OZ. COFFEE

In contrast, the same size coffeehouse coffee typically contains around 300 to 330 milligrams of caffeine.

An energy drink graphic showing how energy drink Nutrition Fact Panels clearly state the amount of caffeine per container.
Total Caffeine Content Displayed

Our members clearly state total caffeine per container from all sources on labels. This quantitative caffeine declaration goes beyond what is required and is separate and apart from the ingredient statement and the Nutrition Facts Panel.

MORE CHOices

America’s leading energy drink companies are continuously innovating. We’re offering a range of flavors, size, and low- and zero-sugar options that can be consumed as part of a balanced diet. Smaller portions include the 8.4 FL OZ. or 12 FL OZ. serving.

Other Common Ingredients in Energy Drinks

Apart from caffeine, other ingredients commonly found in energy drinks include:

Taurine

An amino acid found in common food items such as seafood and poultry. Health authorities and regulatory agencies have determined taurine does not interact negatively with, or enhance the effects of, caffeine in the body at the levels contained in energy drinks.

Inositol

A form of sugar found in your body and in some foods including meat, fruits, corn, beans, grains and legumes.

Ilex guayusa leaf hydroethanolic extract (Aqueous-IGLE)

The FDA has also concluded that Aqueous-IGLE is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for its intended use, which has caffeine as its main constituent.

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Glucuronolactone

A naturally occurring substance that is found in many plant gums.

I-Carnitine

Naturally present in many foods, especially foods of animal origin.

Guarana

Guarana seeds are one of the more than 60 plants worldwide that naturally contain caffeine.

Ginseng

A perennial herb. Many cultures have been adding ginseng to tea for hundreds of years.

A checklist graphic reprsenting the FDA's regulation of energy drinks.
Regulated by FDA

FDA regulates energy drinks, just like it does all foods and beverages. There’s confusion about FDA regulation of energy drinks because foods and beverages are defined as food in the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. FDA has extensively studied the safety and consumption of energy drinks. FDA research confirmed that overall caffeine intake has not increased since energy drinks entered the U.S. market, and that energy drinks contribute only a small portion of American consumers’ daily caffeine intake, even for children and adolescents.

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