Stricter labelling for high caffeine drinks
package of changes to EU labelling regulations, the UK Food
Standards Agency reports this week.
High-caffeine drinks must be more clearly labelled as part of a package of changes to EU labelling regulations, the UK Food Standards Agency reports this week.
The new ruling, agreed in Brussels by EU member states on 22 February 2002, will apply to drinks containing more than 150 milligrams of caffeine per litre.
Normal cola drinks will not be affected because they contain less than 150mg of caffeine per litre neither will drinks based on tea and coffee that are clearly labelled as such.
The term 'high caffeine content' and the amount will be placed in the same field of vision as the name of the food, in order that customers will be alerted to unexpectedly high caffeine levels in some soft drinks.
The new rules also state that caffeine and quinine should be declared in ingredient lists when used as a flavouring in any food.
Currently the legislation requires only the term 'flavouring', although many manufacturers voluntarily indicate when caffeine or quinine has been added. The new rules must come into effect by 1 July 2004.
