Caffeine and quinine (until 2014)

The European Union (EU) strengthens the obligations on consumer information for drinks with high caffeine content. Furthermore, quinine and caffeine which are used as flavourings in the production or preparation of foodstuffs must also be mentioned by name in the list of ingredients.

ACT

Commission Directive 2002/67/EC of 18 July 2002 on the labelling of foodstuffs containing quinine, and of foodstuffs containing caffeine.

SUMMARY

This Directive provides for consumers to be given clear and precise information on the presence of caffeine or quinine in a foodstuff.

High caffeine content drinks

The labelling of drinks containing a proportion of more than 150 milligrams of caffeine per litre must contain the wording ‘High caffeine content’, followed by the quantity of caffeine expressed in milligrams per 100 millimetres. This wording must appear in the same field of vision as the name of the drink.

These provisions apply to dinks which are ready for consumption, as well as those reconstituted from a concentrated or dried product. However, these provisions shall not apply to beverages based on coffee, tea or coffee or tea extract where the name under which the product is sold includes the term ‘coffee’ or ‘tea’.

Caffeine or quinine used as flavouring

Quinine and caffeine which are used as flavouring in the production or preparation of a foodstuff must be mentioned by name in the list of ingredients immediately after the term ‘flavouring’.

Context

This Directive is replaced by Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers from 13 December 2014.

Last updated: 07.02.2012