The FSANZ board has approved a caffeine review proposal, introducing updated rules for caffeine and guarana extract in foods.
The amendments to the Food Standards Code respond to concerns about excessive caffeine intake and aim to limit the growth of highly caffeinated products in the general food supply.
Changes include a ban on the retail sale of caffeine as a food, restrictions on when caffeine can be added to foods and limits on high concentration guarana extract.
New labelling requirements will apply to packaged coffee beverages with high caffeine levels, including caffeine content per serve and advisory statements. Caffeine will be permitted in formulated supplementary sports foods within defined limits.
Existing permissions for caffeine in energy drinks and cola drinks remain unchanged. The use of ingredients that naturally contain caffeine, such as coffee or tea, also remains unchanged unless the ingredient is considered an unapproved novel food.
Caffeine will be permitted in formulated supplementary sports foods (FSSF) within defined limits, including a maximum one-day quantity of 200 mg. New warning and advisory labelling requirements apply, along with packaging requirements for certain FSSF in a multipack.
The changes aim to provide clearer rules, support informed consumer choice and allow for product development within defined safety limits.
Food ministers now have 60 days to consider the decision. If no review is requested, the changes will be gazetted and food businesses will have two years to comply.