Consumer groups want caffeine labeled
on food@ (Adds FDA comment)

WASHINGTON, Reuters [WS] : Caffeine is a mildly
addictive drug linked to miscarriages and other health problems
and should be more closely regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration, a group of consumer and health experts said on Thursday.

Consumers have a right to know how much caffeine is added by
manufacturers to soft drinks, ice creams, yogurt and other foods,
according to the Centre for Science in the Public Interest.

The group, along with more than three dozen scientists and consumer
groups, petitioned the FDA to require the caffeine content of foods
to be displayed on labels.

The American Medical Association recently asked the FDA to require
labeling of foods that contain added caffeine.

``Caffeine is the only drug that is widely added to the food
supply,'' said Michael Jacobson, executive director of the Centre for
Science in the Public Interest. ``Knowing the caffeine content is
important to many people, especially women who are or might become
pregnant.''

Caffeine also is suspected of increasing the risk of osteoporosis,
the group
said.

a statement issued by the National Food Processors Association, a
trade group representing the $430 billion food processing industry.

The FDA already requires food labels to list caffeine, if additional
amounts have been added, but does not require identification of the
amount.

``Should a consumer want to know how much caffeine is in a particular
product, they can find out by calling the manufacturer's 1800
telephone number listed on the product,'' the food processors'
statement added.

But the consumer advocates said the amount of caffeine varies widely
in foods and is too difficult for consumers to estimate.

For example, a cup of Dannon Coffee Yogurt has as much caffeine as a
12ounce can of CocaCola, while a Dannon Light Cappuccino Yogurt has
no caffeine. And a Sunkist Orange Soda has more caffeine than a
Pepsi, while Minute Maid Orange Soda has none, the centre said.

A spokesman for the FDA said the pet,'' the FDA spokesman said. ``And
we don't know of any food products where caffeine is being added in
the amount roughly equal to a cup of coffee.''

FDA regulations allow food manufacturers to add up to 68 milligrams
of caffeine inn lead to insomnia and anxiety, said Roland Griffiths,
a professor at Johns Hopkins University medical school.

``Ceasing the consumption of caffeine often leads to withdrawal
symptoms such as headache and fatigue. Caffeine is a mildly addictive
drug and parents might wish to limit their children's consumption of
it,'' he said. REUTER@

[Copyright 1997, Reuters]


Jim Katz
CTO iTradeZone,Inc.

Using Clarion for Windows
Always looking for the simpler solution.