New Caffeine Safety Act Mandates 'High Caffeine' Warnings on Chain Restaurant Menus and Triggers Federal Safety Reviews

The Sarah Katz Caffeine Safety Act is here to make sure you know exactly how much buzz you’re getting from your morning coffee run or afternoon energy drink. This bill introduces major new rules for labeling caffeine content in both chain restaurants and packaged foods, alongside mandatory federal safety reviews of the stimulant.

Your Coffee Shop Order Just Got Transparent

If you frequent a chain restaurant—meaning one with 20 or more locations—expect some changes to the menu board. Under this Act, any standard menu item with 150 milligrams or more of added caffeine must now feature a warning. Right next to the item name, you’ll see the phrase “High caffeine” (or a designated symbol) and the exact number of milligrams of caffeine it contains. Think of your favorite large, customized iced coffee drink: if it crosses that 150mg threshold, the caffeine count has to be visible before you even order it (Sec. 2).

This is a big deal for consumers who might be casually adding shots or choosing highly caffeinated specialty drinks without realizing they’re exceeding the recommended daily limit. For the chains themselves, this means updating every physical and digital menu board, including the drive-through, which is a significant compliance lift.

The Fine Print on Packaged Foods

The labeling changes don't stop at the drive-through window. If you pick up a packaged food item—like those specialty snacks, powders, or energy bars—that contains more than 10 milligrams of caffeine, the manufacturer now has two new requirements (Sec. 2). First, the label must clearly state the exact number of milligrams of caffeine per serving. Second, it must specify whether that caffeine is naturally occurring (like in cocoa) or added during processing. Plus, every label must include an advisory statement reminding consumers that the recommended daily limit for healthy adults is 400 milligrams. This cuts through the marketing noise, giving you hard numbers instead of just ingredient lists.

The Government Is Reviewing Your Stimulants

Perhaps the most impactful part of this bill is the mandatory, time-bound safety review. The Act requires the FDA to conduct a comprehensive review of caffeine's status, specifically checking if it should still be considered “Generally Recognized As Safe” (GRAS) when added to foods and supplements (Sec. 3). They also have to look closely at stimulant blends—caffeine mixed with things like guarana or taurine—and determine maximum safe amounts. The FDA must report its findings publicly within six months.

Separately, the NIH is tasked with launching a review focused solely on how caffeine and stimulants affect vulnerable groups (Sec. 3). This includes children, teens, pregnant women, and people with existing heart conditions or mental health issues that stimulants could exacerbate. Both the FDA and NIH reviews are funded with $1 million each, signaling a serious commitment to getting clear scientific answers about what we’re consuming.

Education and Accountability

To ensure these findings reach the public, the bill mandates a public education campaign run by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Sec. 4). This campaign will focus on the dangers of overconsumption, specific risks for vulnerable groups, and safe usage guidelines. It will also address how caffeinated products are marketed, particularly toward children and adolescents.

Finally, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) is required to study and report on how caffeinated beverages are advertised (Sec. 5). The GAO will look for marketing tactics that might be misleading to consumers or, crucially, that specifically target children and teenagers. The GAO has 180 days to deliver a report to Congress with recommendations for new laws or administrative changes to address any problematic marketing practices. This signals a move toward holding the industry accountable for how they push these products to younger audiences.