This bill, titled the Sarah Katz Caffeine Safety Act, aims to enhance public safety regarding caffeine consumption by amending the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Its core purpose is to implement stricter labeling requirements for caffeinated products and to initiate federal studies and public awareness campaigns on caffeine safety. For restaurants and similar retail food establishments that are part of chains with 20 or more locations, the bill mandates specific disclosures. Standard and temporary menu items containing added caffeine and at least 150 milligrams of total caffeine per serving must display a "High caffeine" statement, or a similar warning, adjacent to the item name on menus and menu boards. These establishments must also clearly indicate the total number of milligrams of caffeine in such items. Beyond restaurants, the bill requires all food, including dietary supplements, containing more than 10 milligrams of caffeine to include specific information on their labels. This includes the total number of milligrams of caffeine, whether the caffeine is naturally occurring or an additive, and an advisory statement about the daily recommended caffeine limit for healthy adults. The legislation also directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct two critical reviews within six months of enactment. The FDA will review the safety of caffeine and other stimulants, including whether caffeine should be considered generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for healthy populations. Concurrently, the NIH will study the effects of caffeine consumption on vulnerable populations, such as children, pregnant women, and individuals with underlying heart conditions. Finally, the bill mandates a public education campaign on safe caffeine consumption, focusing on the dangers of overconsumption and impacts on vulnerable groups. It also requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on the marketing of caffeinated beverages, particularly concerning misleading practices and targeting children and teens, and to report its findings and recommendations to Congress.
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Health
Sarah Katz Caffeine Safety Act
USA119th CongressHR-2511| House
| Updated: 3/31/2025
This bill, titled the Sarah Katz Caffeine Safety Act, aims to enhance public safety regarding caffeine consumption by amending the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Its core purpose is to implement stricter labeling requirements for caffeinated products and to initiate federal studies and public awareness campaigns on caffeine safety. For restaurants and similar retail food establishments that are part of chains with 20 or more locations, the bill mandates specific disclosures. Standard and temporary menu items containing added caffeine and at least 150 milligrams of total caffeine per serving must display a "High caffeine" statement, or a similar warning, adjacent to the item name on menus and menu boards. These establishments must also clearly indicate the total number of milligrams of caffeine in such items. Beyond restaurants, the bill requires all food, including dietary supplements, containing more than 10 milligrams of caffeine to include specific information on their labels. This includes the total number of milligrams of caffeine, whether the caffeine is naturally occurring or an additive, and an advisory statement about the daily recommended caffeine limit for healthy adults. The legislation also directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct two critical reviews within six months of enactment. The FDA will review the safety of caffeine and other stimulants, including whether caffeine should be considered generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for healthy populations. Concurrently, the NIH will study the effects of caffeine consumption on vulnerable populations, such as children, pregnant women, and individuals with underlying heart conditions. Finally, the bill mandates a public education campaign on safe caffeine consumption, focusing on the dangers of overconsumption and impacts on vulnerable groups. It also requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on the marketing of caffeinated beverages, particularly concerning misleading practices and targeting children and teens, and to report its findings and recommendations to Congress.