Are you being safe? The dangers lying in powdered caffeine

Overuse has caused two deaths.

One teaspoon of pure caffeine powder is the equivalent of 28 cups of coffee, making it dangerous for consumption. Warning letters have been issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to 5 pure caffeine powder distributors to prevent more powdered caffeine-related deaths.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - According to TIME, the FDA's warning letters have been sent following the deaths of two young -and otherwise healthy- men who died in 2014 after consuming the powder.

In the letter sent to the companies, the agency argued "these products are dangerous and present a significant or unreasonable risk of illness or injury to consumers." 

Product labels have raised questions with people reporting it as problematic. The FDA explained that it is almost impossible to measure safe amounts of the powder for consumption using normal measuring tools since the difference between acceptable amounts and toxic levels lies within a very small margin. One teaspoon of pure powdered caffeine is the same amount of caffeine one would find in 28 cups of coffee.

The companies who received warning letters, Smartpowders, Purebulk, National Food Supplements, Hard Eight Nutrition and Bridge City Bulk, were all placed on notice of the FDA's investigation this week.

While some users like the instant effect, the caffeine amount in the product can cause dangerously rapid and erratic heartbeats and seizures, even death.

"The companies have 15 business days from the date of receipt of the letter to communicate to the agency the specific steps they will take to bring their products into compliance with the law," stated the agency on their website. The FDA also said they will continue monitoring such products and if companies have any violations, they will seize the products and prevent companies from further manufacturing the powder.

Jeffrey Stratton, founder of the Bridge City Bulk told the NY Times that they had "immediately stopped selling the material".

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