FDA looks at caffeine impact on kids after Wrigley gum
Wrigley’s new Alert Energy Caffeine Gum has prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to look into the potential impact that added caffeine may have on children and adolescents.
The FDA said on Monday it was taking a “fresh look” at the issue in response to the launch of a caffeinated gum, “and if necessary, will take appropriate action.”
While the FDA did not name the gum in its statement, Wrigley launched the product this month. One piece of the gum contains 40 milligrams of caffeine, about as much as a half-cup of coffee, according to Wrigley, which is owned by privately held Mars Inc.
The company said it markets the gum as an energy product for adults aged 25 and older, and that it exceeds current regulatory requirements on labeling and disclosure. The gum has a more bitter taste that does not appeal to children, a higher price, and packaging that clearly separates it from other gums, she said.
“As the FDA refines its approach to caffeine, we welcome the opportunity to work with them on this important topic,” a Wrigley spokeswoman said in an email.
The FDA seeks to protect consumers from unsafe foods. In addition to research and inspections, the agency has the power to recall and seize unsafe products and stop companies from producing them.
“The only time that FDA explicitly approved the added use of caffeine in a food was for cola and that was in the 1950s,” Michael Taylor, FDA deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine, said in a statement on its website on Monday.
Effects of Caffeine on the Nervous System
Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. In moderate doses, caffeine can:
increase alertness
reduce fine motor coordination
cause insomnia
cause headaches, nervousness and dizziness
In massive doses, caffeine is lethal. A fatal dose of caffeine has been calculated to be more than 10 grams (about 170 mg/kg body weight) - this is the same as drinking 80 to 100 cups of coffee in rapid succession - not an easy thing to do.
Caffeine enters the bloodstream through the stomach and small intestine and can have its effects as soon as 15 minutes after it is consumed. Once in the body, caffeine will stay around for hours: it takes about 6 hours for one half of the caffeine to be eliminated.
Caffeine belongs to the xanthine chemical group. Adenosine is a naturally occurring xanthine in the brain that is used as a neurotransmitter at some synapses. One effect of caffeine is to interfere with adenosine at multiple sites in the brain including the reticular formation. Caffeine also acts at other sites in the body to increase heart rate, constrict blood vessels, relax air passages to improve breathing and allow some muscles to contract more easily.
Some studies show that caffeine causes physical dependence. One way to tell if someone “needs” that cup of coffee or bottle of Coke is to take it away from them and then see if they have any withdrawal symptoms. Typical withdrawal symptoms associated with caffeine are headache, fatigue and muscle pain. These symptoms can occur within 24 hours after the last dose of caffeine. One study has stated that the minimum consumption of caffeine for physical dependence is 4 cups of coffee per day. Other studies say that a few more cups of coffee are needed to develop dependence.
“Today, the environment has changed. Children and adolescents may be exposed to caffeine beyond those foods in which caffeine is naturally found and beyond anything the FDA envisioned when it made the determination regarding caffeine in cola,” he said.
Wrigley is not the first to market gum with energizing properties. Mondelez International Inc sells a line of Trident Vitality gums, with ingredients like ginseng, green tea and Vitamin C, and Stride Spark gum in “Kinetic Mint” and “Kinetic Fruit” flavors that have Vitamins B6 and B12 added.
Caffeine, the drug found in coffee, soda, iced tea and chocolate, affects the central nervous system of children. Small doses may increase their ability to concentrate, but in large doses, taken regularly, it can have harmful effects, including addiction. Bone mass may be affected by the mineral loss that caffeine causes. The substitution of caffeinated beverages for nutritious foods and beverages affects the overall health of the child. Caffeinated beverages can also affect the overall health and behavior of children.
Addiction
Caffeine can create dependency in anyone who ingests it regularly, even when it is taken in moderate or small doses. Withdrawal symptoms experienced by children who have become dependent on caffeine are similar to withdrawal symptoms experienced by adults. Some of these symptoms include lethargy, irritability and difficulty thinking clearly.
Bone Mass
The bones of children are still growing, and continued ingestion of caffeine inhibits this process. Caffeine causes excess excretion of calcium and magnesium through the urine. Calcium and magnesium are necessary for the formation of strong bones, and the loss of large amounts of these minerals can affect bone growth in children.
Behavior
Children who drink caffeine can have difficulty concentrating in school. They may become anxious and nervous due to the caffeine in their diet, or more prone to an emotional response. These symptoms are related to the amount of caffeine ingested regularly, with high levels of caffeine creating more pronounced symptoms than low doses.
A Mondelez spokesman said none of the company’s gums contain caffeine.
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Reuters