STUDY RECOMMENDS LOWER CAFFEINE INTAKE

Pregnant Women, Children At Risk, Draft Report Says

OTTAWA - New studies into health risks from caffeine suggest Canada
needs to lower its guidelines on how much of the psychoactive drug
children and pregnant women can safely consume, says a draft report
obtained by The Star.

Current Health Canada guidelines say it's safe for most people to be
exposed to 400 to 450 milligrams of caffeine a day - roughly the
equivalent of four cups of brewed coffee.

But a government report obtained under access-to-information rules
recommends more conservative levels.

For pre-adolescent children, the report suggests not more than 67 to
127 milligrams of caffeine per day, depending on the child's weight.
Women who plan to become pregnant or are pregnant should limit
themselves to 300 milligrams, it says.

"Data has . . . shown that reproductive-aged women and children can be
defined as 'at risk' subgroups who may require specific caffeine
intake moderation advice," says the draft report.

Officials at Health Canada, who tried to block release of the report,
stressed the recommendations may still change.

The study, which included a broad review of research into caffeine and
health, has been sent to outside experts for comment before the
recommendations are finalized.

Caffeine has become an extremely sensitive issue for Health Canada.
One of its own scientists and health groups have criticized the
government for a plan to allow soft drink makers to begin spiking
citrus-flavoured pop with caffeine.

The only soft drink that can contain caffeine right now is cola.
Pepsi-Cola Canada wants national food regulations changed so it can
add 55 milligrams of caffeine to a can of Mountain Dew.

Pepsi says the drink tastes better with caffeine, and it wants to use
the same recipe in Canada as it does in the United States. Mountain
Dew ads urge: "Slam that back, man. You feeling the rush?"

Ottawa initially approved adding caffeine in soft drinks - and touched
off an outcry in public health circles.

Opponents said kids, who are big soda drinkers, would get extra - and
unnecessary - doses of caffeine. They also argued the regulation
change would further limit non-caffeinated drink choices.

It's an important issue, critics said, because Canadians drink so much
pop. We consume 25 per cent more soft drinks than milk - 110 litres of
pop compared to 88 litres of milk a year.

Government documents show Health Canada scientist Kaz Karpinski also
raised serious concerns with the initial ruling to allow caffeine in
Mountain Dew.

"The decision was not based on proper risk management principles,"
Karpinski wrote in a memo released under access to information rules.

"Approval of the submission proceeded . . . in spite of objections
raised by members of the food rulings committee concerning health and
safety issues, lack of consultation with consumer associations, in
particular paediatric associations, and the lack of an adequate impact
assessment."

In the face of criticism, the government decided to launch the review
of scientific studies on caffeine and health.

The recommendations on caffeine guidelines for Canadians that result
from the review are expected to influence the verdict on caffeine in
citrus-flavoured soft drinks.

Health advocates believe the review bolsters arguments against
allowing caffeine in more soft drinks.