The End of the 'Energy Drink'
The most significant change from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is the removal of the term 'energy drink' from labels. In a directive issued in July 2026, the regulator gave companies 90 days to comply, stating that there is no
official standard for a product category called “energy drinks”. Instead, these products must now be labelled as “caffeinated beverages”. The FSSAI argued that the term “energy” is misleading, along with claims like “vitalises body and mind,” because they imply health or performance benefits that aren't scientifically proven for these drinks. The move affects major brands like Red Bull, PepsiCo’s Sting, and Monster Energy.
Why the Change Was Needed
The regulatory shift comes amid growing global and domestic concern about the health impact of high-caffeine, high-sugar drinks, especially among young people. Health experts have linked excessive consumption to a range of issues, including anxiety, sleep disturbances, high blood pressure, and in some cases, more severe cardiovascular problems. Many of these drinks contain not just high levels of caffeine but also large amounts of sugar—a single 250 ml can may contain 27 grams or more. This combination delivers a temporary feeling of alertness from the caffeine, while the sugar provides a rush of calories that can contribute to obesity and type 2 diabetes over time.
Your Guide to the New Label
Under FSSAI rules, a “caffeinated beverage” must contain between 145 and 300 milligrams of caffeine per litre. The label must now clearly state “High Caffeine” along with the exact amount. Crucially, a mandatory warning must be displayed: “Not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women, persons sensitive to caffeine”. Another key declaration is the maximum recommended daily consumption, which is capped at 500 ml per day. This forces consumers to confront the upper limit of safe consumption directly on the packaging.
Reading Between the Lines: Other Ingredients
Beyond caffeine and sugar, labels list other active ingredients. Taurine, an amino acid, is a common one, and its inclusion requires a declaration of the maximum daily amount to be consumed. You will also often see a cocktail of B-Vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12). FSSAI has limited the addition of these vitamins to 100% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) per serving. Consumers are also advised to be cautious of other stimulants like ginseng and ingredients such as high-fructose corn syrup, which have been linked to metabolic health concerns. Ingredient lists are always in descending order of weight, so if sugar or one of its many aliases (like dextrose or invert sugar) is near the top, you know it's a primary component.
The Five-Second Consumer Check
When you're in a hurry, you don't need to be a food scientist. Here’s a quick mental checklist: First, look for the 'Caffeinated Beverage' label and the 'High Caffeine' warning. Second, check the total caffeine amount and compare it to the daily safe limit for adults (around 400mg from all sources). Third, glance at the sugar content; anything over 15g per 100g is considered high. Finally, note the mandatory warning about who should not consume the drink. These few data points are enough to make a much more informed decision about whether that can is right for you at that moment.
