There are already many ways in which we can get our boost of energy, so consumers are warned against pure powdered caffeine as a solution to our needs for the daily jolt. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration have officially sent letter to five different manufacturers to immediately stop selling their product for individual use.
It was recently reported that 85% of the American population consumes at least one cup of coffee per day, including teenagers under the age of 18. Today, it comes in many forms besides the regular cup of Joe, presented in sodas, energy drinks, gum, pills or even caffeine powder in its purest form to be used as a supplement.
An entire industry has been built around caffeine, and while there are certain benefits to regular and limited coffee drinking, abuse in any way, shape or form can cause severe reactions, such as addiction, risk of overdose and reports of suffering from withdrawal. Due to several deaths and various conditions sprung due to caffeine, “caffeine withdrawal” has become a legitimate mental health disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
The FDA had long since begun investigations, and have recently tackled pure powdered caffeine, deeming it highly dangerous and demanded manufacturers to stop selling it as a supplement for food and drinks. It’s sometimes used as a casual ‘pick me up’ by young adults before working out, and has led to the deaths of two young perfectly healthy men.
In response, the FDA has officially declared the product as “dangerous” and explained that it presents itself with “significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury to consumers”, that has unfortunately even led to the death of some.
According to the administration, one teaspoon of pure powdered caffeine equals to drinking 28 cups of coffee in a row, and these dangerous limitations are impossible to measure with the common tools found in the kitchen. While consumers use it as a supplement to their food and drinks, it’s quite difficult for them to add the proper, healthy amount.
Five pure powdered caffeine manufacturers have been sent letters, in which these unnecessary risk are explained and how it can damage the life of their consumers. Hard Eight Nutrition, Purebulk, Smartpowders, Bridge City Bulk and National Food Supplements have all been given 15 days to reply to the FDA’s warnings.
Smartpowders has already taken their product off the market, Hard Eight Nutrition and Bridge City Bulk have stated that they now only sell pure powdered caffeine as an ingredient to sodas or other products, while PureBulk only said their company is preparing a response without additional information about what measures will be taken to prevent further damage to their consumers.
Image source: businessinsider.com
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