European Food Safety Authority to update scientific stance on caffeine for children and youths

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) will update its decade-old scientific stance on the safety of caffeine for children and adolescents. 

Last December, MEPs on the ENVI Committee were addressed by a number of experts who spoke about the health effects of energy drinks and the tactics companies use to push these products to impressionable children.

The EFSA’s latest decision comes in response to a formal request from European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, after pressure from PN MEP Peter Agius.

The upcoming review will be handled by EFSA’s Nutrition and Food Innovation Unit, with the final scientific opinion to be adopted by the Panel on Nutrition, Novel Food and Food Allergens. 

According to a letter sent by the EFSA, scientists will re-examine the hazard identification and characterisation steps of caffeine safety, specifically looking for acute and long-term adverse effects even at doses currently considered safe for youths, which is currently defined as 3 mg per kilogram of body weight each day.

Researchers will pay particular attention to the most sensitive adverse effects reported in humans, specifically those impacting the cardiovascular system and the central nervous system. 

While the ENVI Committee originally suggested looking into the combined effects of energy drinks and alcohol, EFSA has clarified that this specific interaction is excluded from the new mandate because alcohol consumption by children and adolescents is already considered harmful.

A draft of the updated scientific opinion is expected to be released for public consultation by the end of 2027.