The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified new guidance on caffeine labeling as a priority for 2026, a development that could eventually affect some packaged coffee drinks and other beverages with added caffeine. The agency included a document titled “Labeling Caffeine Content in Foods and Beverages; Draft Guidance for Industry” on its recently updated guidance agenda for its Human Foods Program.
Currently, FDA policy requires that caffeine be listed as an ingredient when it is added to a product, but it does not mandate the disclosure of the specific quantity in milligrams. Coffee itself is exempt from these rules, as caffeine is a naturally occurring component. The proposed guidance aims to highlight industry best practices for labeling added caffeine content on packaged goods and in retail settings, though the agency has not yet released specific language or identified which products would be covered.
This regulatory focus comes amid growing public and political pressure on the makers of high-caffeine energy drinks over health concerns and marketing practices, particularly those targeting younger consumers. Government officials have called for investigations into popular energy drink brands, citing risks associated with high caffeine consumption. While the FDA's guidance documents are not legally binding, they signal the agency's position and often precede formal rulemaking.