The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning the public about the dangers of pure caffeine powder, which can be purchased in bulk over the internet and at some stores. Pure powdered caffeine can be fatal even in small doses. One teaspoon of pure caffeine is the amount that is in about 25 cups of coffee.
The FDA issued a consumer advisory about pure caffeine. It said that it is aware of two deaths of young men who used pure caffeine, including that of an 18-year-old in Ohio who died in May. A 24-year-old man died in Georgia in June. The product is being used as an energy booster and is particularly attractive to teen boys and young men.
The agency is building a legal case against companies the sell pure powdered caffeine because of the potential dangers. The difference between a safe amount of pure caffeine and a lethal dose is very small. The FDA noted that it is nearly impossible to measure powdered pure caffeine accurately with the measuring tools found in a typical kitchen.
Caffeine powder is being sold as a dietary supplement, which means that it is not regulated. The FDA does not have legal authority to pull a dietary supplement off the shelves, as it can with other products.
