Swedish food agency limits caffeine for youth to less than half an energy drink daily

Sweden’s National Food Agency has issued new guidelines capping daily caffeine intake at 70 milligrams for those under 16, warning that no standard energy drink on the market complies with the limit.

The recommendation—equivalent to roughly 125–220 milliliters of energy drink, depending on caffeine concentration—aims to curb sleep disruption, the most common adverse effect in young consumers, according to Sabina Litens Karlsson, a toxicologist at the agency. “There isn’t a single energy drink available that contains low enough caffeine for a full can to be safe,” she stated.

For children under six, the agency advises complete avoidance of caffeine. The guidelines follow a surge in energy drink consumption among Swedish youth, coupled with the introduction of products containing higher caffeine concentrations per serving.

Beyond sleep disturbances, excessive caffeine intake in young people may trigger heart palpitations, tremors, dizziness, anxiety, and nausea. The agency is also collaborating with Nordic counterparts on a project to engage teenagers directly in identifying effective measures to reduce consumption.

“Recommendations alone may not be the most effective tool,” Litens Karlsson noted. “We’re working with young people to determine what actually influences their behavior.”

For context, 70 milligrams of caffeine is roughly the amount found in a small cup (150 ml) of brewed coffee or two 330 ml cans of cola.