Every March, Caffeine Awareness Month offers a timely opportunity to step back and look at the facts about one of the most popular ingredients enjoyed by millions all over the world.

For generations, Americans have consumed caffeine in coffee, tea and soft drinks. Energy drinks are one of the latest caffeinated beverages in the marketplace but by no means are where consumers get most of their caffeine.

Coffee is by far the largest contributor to caffeine intake from beverages in the United States, according to a recent study with a representative sample of nearly 50,000 consumers published in Food and Chemical Toxicology. Coffee accounts for 69% of caffeine consumption across all age groups. That’s followed by soft drinks (15.4%) and tea (8.8%). Energy drinks account for 6.3%, the smallest share among the four most consumed caffeinated beverages, including among teens. 

Caffeine itself remains one of the most studied ingredients in the global food supply. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that up to 400 milligrams per day is not generally associated with dangerous effects for healthy adults. A typical 16-ounce energy drink contains 160 milligrams of caffeine, about half the amount found in many 16-ounce coffeehouse coffees. 

America’s beverage companies are committed to ensuring consumers have the information they need to make informed choices. That’s why our members who make energy drinks voluntarily disclose total caffeine content on every can and bottle and include advisory statements saying they’re not intended or recommended for children, pregnant or nursing women, and those sensitive to caffeine. 

At the end of the day, caffeine is caffeine – whether it comes from coffee, tea or an energy drink. What matters most is ensuring that American consumers have the information needed to make the choices that work best for them.   

For more information about energy drinks, caffeine and efforts by America’s beverage companies, visit www.EnergyDrinkInformation.com