Could caffeinated gum be the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back in terms of regulation of the caffeine industry? That seems to be the conclusion reached in a new report focusing on the Food and Drug Administration’s recent vow to more closely examine the impact that high levels of caffeine could have on teens and children. The product that apparently prompted the renewed interest of the FDA is Alert Energy Caffeine Gum from Wrigley, an item that it should be noted is not recommended for kids. Nevertheless, the current proliferation of caffeine in such products as chips, energy bars, candy, and more has caught the FDA’s eye. The agency hasn’t approved caffeine since it was allowed in sodas in the 50s, and this revisitation of the issue could herald widespread changes to the food and beverage industry.
To learn more about the FDA’s efforts, click here.