Citation
(2004), "Caffeine and pregnancy", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 34 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2004.01734fab.018
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Caffeine and pregnancy
The Food Standards Agency have advised that pregnant women should not have more than 300 mg of caffeine a day as high levels of caffeine can result in a low birth weight, or even miscarriage.
An FSA survey published recently this year, showed that out of the samples tested, a cup or mug of tea could contain from 1 to 90 mg of caffeine, and instant coffee from 21 to 120 mg. Brewed ground coffee ranged from 15 to 245 mg. The survey backs the Agency’s previous advice giving guidance to pregnant women on how many cups of tea or coffee they can safely drink, based on the average samples, but show that the way a cup of tea or coffee is made can have an impact on how much caffeine it contains.
The Agency also advises that pregnant women should also be aware that in addition to the caffeine in coffee and tea, cola, chocolate and some energy drinks and some flu and cold remedies contain caffeine too.