Powdered caffeine overdose can be fatal: FDA

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Caffeine is a morning staple for most folks, especially those who cannot function without their daily fix. It's also a main ingredient in most sodas and energy drinks. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that too much caffeine is dangerous to one's health, even resulting to death in at least two cases in 2014.

CNN reports that the Food and Drug Administration has warned against five distributors of pure powdered caffeine, as these products are potentially dangerous. Consumers are advised to be aware of brands such as Smartpowders, Purebulk, National Food Supplements, Hard Eight Nutrition and Bridge City Bulk.

The FDA believes that the products from these companies are mislabeled. Because of the purity of caffeine in these products, it is most likely to get an accurate dose. The FDA gave a 15-day deadline for the aforementioned companies to respond to the warning and communicate their compliance to the law.

The FDA said in an official statement that "A single teaspoon of pure caffeine is roughly equivalent to the amount in 25 cups of coffee. Pure caffeine is a powerful stimulant and very small amounts may cause accidental overdose. Parents should be aware that these products may be attractive to young people."

Additionally, consumers must be aware that "Symptoms of caffeine overdose can include rapid or dangerously erratic heartbeat, seizures and death. Vomiting, diarrhea, stupor and disorientation are also symptoms of caffeine toxicity. These symptoms are likely to be much more severe than those resulting from drinking too much coffee, tea or other caffeinated beverages."

Medical News Today reports that approximately 300 mg of caffeine are consumed daily per person per day in the United States, equivalent to 2 to 4 cups of coffee. Furthermore, MNT reports that according to the International Coffee Organization, 1.6 billion cups of coffee are consumed globally every day.

MNT further reports that caffeine is a psychoactive substance, meaning it is "a drug that crosses the blood-brain barrier to stimulate the central nervous system."

According to Steven E. Meredith, postdoctoral research fellow at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, "Caffeine activates many of the same behavioral and neuropharmacological mechanisms that are activated by other reinforcers, including other drugs of abuse. And, like many other reinforcers, caffeine is associated with various positive subjective effects like increased wellbeing, sociability, and feelings of energy and alertness. For this reason and others, a small percentage of the population develops caffeine use disorder."

He added: "Dependence can become so strong for some individuals that they're unable to reduce consumption despite knowledge of recurrent physical or psychological problems associated with continued use."