For today’s Sip & Savor, we’re highlighting some facts about energy drinks that you may not know.

First, energy drinks have been enjoyed by millions of people around the world for more than 30 years and are recognized by government food safety agencies worldwide, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as safe for consumption.  This include caffeine as well as other ingredients found in energy drinks, such as B vitamins and taurine which are found naturally in other foods.

Many people may not know that the amount of caffeine found in mainstream energy drinks is about half the amount of a coffeehouse coffee and is no different than caffeine found in other foods or beverages.  For example, a 16 fluid ounce energy drink typically contains between 160 and 240 milligrams of caffeine, while the same size coffeehouse coffee contains around 300 to 330 milligrams.  

The caffeine in energy drinks is the same type of caffeine that either naturally occurs in coffee, tea or chocolate or is added to beverages like soda and energy drinks.  Caffeine is a natural substance found in the seeds, nuts and leaves of plants and has been safely consumed in foods and beverages by billions of people every day.

Lastly, our member companies – which represent 95% of the energy drinks sold in the US – go above and beyond federal mandatory labeling requirements.  We voluntarily list the total amount of caffeine from all sources on the label and ensure consumers know that these drinks are not intended for children, pregnant or nursing women or those sensitive to coffee.

To learn more about this category, visit www.energydrinkinformation.com.