What's Changing on the Label?
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed manufacturers to stop using the term "energy drink" on their products. Instead, these products will be called "caffeinated beverages." This is because FSSAI argues the term "energy drink" is misleading,
as these drinks provide a temporary stimulant effect from caffeine and a sugar rush, not sustained, nutritious energy. The rule targets beverages with caffeine content between 145mg and 300mg per litre. Along with the name change, companies can no longer make claims like "vitalises body and mind" or suggest the drink helps with weakness.
The Mandatory Warning You Must See
The most significant change for consumers is a mandatory caution statement that must be clearly displayed on all high-caffeine beverages. The label will now have to state: “Not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women, persons sensitive to caffeine.” This warning is a direct response to growing health concerns about the effects of high doses of caffeine and other stimulants, especially on vulnerable groups. Health experts have linked excessive consumption to issues like anxiety, sleep disturbances, high blood pressure, and in some cases, severe cardiovascular problems.
Serving Size vs. What You Actually Drink
This is where paying attention becomes crucial. The nutritional information on a label, including the caffeine content, is often provided 'per serving'. However, a single can or bottle often contains multiple servings. For example, a 500ml bottle might list its caffeine content for a 250ml serving. If you drink the whole bottle, you are consuming double the caffeine and sugar listed in the main nutrition facts. The new regulations also mandate that labels must state a maximum daily consumption limit, typically advising consumers to drink no more than 500ml per day. Always check the 'servings per container' on the back of the package to understand the total caffeine you are about to consume.
How to Calculate Your Total Intake
Reading the label correctly is a simple matter of multiplication. First, find the caffeine amount listed 'per serving'. Next, find the 'servings per container' number, which is usually near the top of the nutrition panel. Multiply the caffeine per serving by the number of servings in the container. This gives you the total caffeine in the entire package. For example, if a drink has 80mg of caffeine per 100ml serving and the bottle is 300ml, you are consuming 240mg of caffeine in total. Being mindful of this calculation is key to staying within safe consumption limits and avoiding the negative side effects of a caffeine overdose.
Why This Crackdown is Happening Now
The market for these beverages in India is growing rapidly, with projections expecting it to reach $1.6 billion by 2028. This rising popularity, especially among young adults and adolescents, prompted FSSAI to act. The regulator aims to increase transparency and protect consumers from misleading marketing that associates these drinks with enhanced performance and health. By enforcing stricter labelling, FSSAI is shifting the responsibility to consumers to be more aware of what they are drinking. The 90-day compliance window signals the regulator's urgency in addressing the public health risks associated with these popular but potent beverages.
