Caffeine in Foods and Drinks: What Official Limits Say
What the FDA, Health Canada and the NHS say about caffeine in coffee, tea, chocolate and energy drinks, with the daily limits they give for adults, pregnancy and children.
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What official bodies say
| Group | Body (country, page date) | Limit as given |
|---|---|---|
| Most adults | FDA (US, current as of 2024) | 400 mg a day, described as an amount not generally associated with negative effects. [1] |
| Adults 18 and over | Health Canada (2025) | 400 mg a day. [2] |
| Pregnant | Health Canada (2025) | 300 mg a day. [2] |
| Breastfeeding | Health Canada (2025) | 300 mg a day. [2] |
| Pregnant | NHS (UK, reviewed 2026) | No more than 200 mg a day. [3] |
| Pregnant, trying, or breastfeeding | FDA (2024) | Talk to a health care provider about whether to limit caffeine. [1] |
| Children and adolescents | Health Canada (2025) | 2.5 mg per kg of body weight a day. Health Canada notes the figure rests on limited data for children and was applied to adolescents as a precaution. [2] |
| Children and teens | FDA (2024) | Medical experts advise against energy drinks for them because of sugar and caffeine. [1] |
The numbers differ between countries (for example 200 mg in the NHS advice and 300 mg from Health Canada for pregnancy). We did not read the European Food Safety Authority or American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists statements (the pages could not be opened), so they are not included.
How much caffeine is in common items
These are estimates from the pages we read, and real amounts vary by brew and serving.| Item | Amount stated | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Regular brewed coffee, 12 fl oz | 113 to 247 mg | FDA [1] |
| Black tea, 12 fl oz | 71 mg | FDA [1] |
| Green tea, 12 fl oz | 37 mg | FDA [1] |
| Caffeinated soft drink, 12 fl oz | 23 to 83 mg | FDA [1] |
| Energy drink, 12 fl oz | 41 to 246 mg | FDA [1] |
| Brewed coffee, 8 oz | 135 mg | Health Canada [2] |
| Brewed black or green tea, 8 oz | 30 to 50 mg | Health Canada [2] |
| Instant coffee, one cup | 100 mg (filter and café coffee can be more) | NHS [3] |
| Tea, one cup | 75 mg | NHS [3] |
| Plain dark chocolate, 50 g bar | less than 25 mg | NHS [3] |
| Plain milk chocolate, 50 g bar | less than 10 mg | NHS [3] |
Sizes differ between sources, so compare within one source.
What the research says about caffeine intake
- Coffee: umbrella reviews found associations with benefit across many outcomes at usual intakes, but observational evidence is hard to separate from other habits; in trial meta-analyses caffeine was linked with a rise in blood pressure. [4][5] See Coffee.
- Pregnancy: the NHS says too much caffeine has been linked to a higher chance of miscarriage and stillbirth. [3] A genetics-based study found no causal link for coffee, and the authors note that trials are lacking. [6] These findings conflict.
Related
Coffee · Black Tea · Dark Chocolate and Cocoa as FoodFrequently asked questions
How much caffeine is too much?
For most adults the FDA cites 400 mg a day as an amount not generally associated with negative effects. [1] Health Canada also gives 400 mg for adults. [2] Individual sensitivity varies, so ask your clinician.
How much caffeine in pregnancy?
The NHS says no more than 200 mg a day, Health Canada gives 300 mg, and the FDA advises talking to a provider. [3][2][1]
How much caffeine can children have?
Health Canada gives 2.5 mg per kg of body weight for children and adolescents, based on limited data. [2] The FDA says experts advise against energy drinks for children and teens. [1]
Does decaf have caffeine?
Decaf amounts were not given in the sources we read.
Is the caffeine in tea less than in coffee?
In the FDA figures, yes: 37 to 71 mg for green and black tea per 12 ounces compared with 113 to 247 mg for brewed coffee. [1]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety and who should ask
- Pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding: ask your health care provider. [1]
- Children and teens: energy drinks are advised against. [1]
- Medicine interactions with caffeine in foods: not described in the sources we read. Ask a pharmacist; see How Interactions Work.
- Caffeine pills, powders and pre-workout products are different; see Caffeine Supplements.
- Sleep problems: see Better Sleep.
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?. Page current as of 08/28/2024. Read 2026-10-23.
- Health Canada. Caffeine in foods. Page dated 2025-04-02. Read 2026-10-23.
- NHS (UK). Foods to avoid in pregnancy. Last reviewed 15 June 2026. Read 2026-10-23.
- Coffee consumption and health: umbrella review of meta-analyses of multiple health outcomes. BMJ 2017. PMID 29167102. Read 2026-10-23.
- Coffee, caffeine, and health outcomes: an umbrella review. Annu Rev Nutr 2017. PMID 28826374. Read 2026-10-23.
- Mendelian randomization study of maternal coffee consumption and its influence on birthweight, stillbirth, miscarriage, gestational age and pre-term birth. Int J Epidemiol 2023. PMID 35679582. Read 2026-10-23.