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Caffeine
Legal Status
by Erowid
U.S. FEDERAL LAW #
Caution :   All legal information should be verified through other sources. [see below]
U.S. FEDERAL LEGAL SUMMARY
Caffeine
REGULATED
No
STATUS
Food Approved
SCHEDULE
Un-Scheduled
Caffeine sales are legal and unregulated in the United States. It is sold over-the-counter in a variety of products as well as in tablet form.

INTERNATIONAL LAW #
Australia #
Maximum of 36 mg per 250 ml serving in beverages. "Australian Food Standards Code: The Australian Food Standards Code restricts the addition of caffeine to kola-type soft drinks, flavoured cordials and flavoured syrups. In these drinks, the total caffeine content must not exceed 145 mg/kg (36 mg/250 ml serve) in the drink as consumed. The Code does not prescribe limits for naturally occurring caffeine in food - for example, tea, coffee and guarana. The caffeine levels in these foods will not normally exceed 100 mg in a standard serving." See www.foodstandards.gov.au. (thanks l) (last updated Nov 22, 2009)
Austria #
Caffeine 100 mg tablets are approved and available in Austria for more than 50 years in pharmacies without prescription. (unconfirmed) (last updated May 26 2016)
Canada #
100 mg caffeine tablets are available over-the-counter in Canada. Energy drinks containing 300 mg of caffeine are also available. (unconfirmed) (thanks N)
Denmark #
According to I.D.Drinks, the Danish government allows a maximum of 150 mg of caffeine per liter of drink for prepared drinks, except coffee. The government claims that over 150 mg/l is 'dangerous'. The maximum level in most of Europe is 320 mg/liter. (unconfirmed) (thanks IDD) Red Bull is reportedly banned in Denmark. (unconfirmed) (thanks D)
Germany (Deutschland)#
A visitor writes that caffeine tablets can be purchased over the counter without prescription from Apotheken, pharmacy shops that have professionals who give drug advice to customers. Products include 200 mg tablets sold for around 4-8 euros per 50 tablets in 2010. One brand name is Coffeinum. (Thanks CU) (last updated Apr 19 2010)
Netherlands (Nederland)#
An Erowid reader reports that: "some shops will not sell drinks with high caffeine content to people under 16, such as energy drinks. The maximum caffeine content for any drink is 320 mg/liter. Caffeine pills can be bought at phamacies and smartshops, although the legal minimum age for purchasing over-the-counter drugs is 16. This is rarely enforced though. Smartshops will not serve any customer under 18, no matter what purchase is made." (unconfirmed) (thanks T) (last updated may 15, 2009)
New Zealand #
Maximum 50 mg per 250 ml serving. "In New Zealand, caffeine may be added to any soft drinks, and a maximum level of 200 mg/kg is prescribed. It is also permitted to be used as a flavouring in any other non-alcoholic beverages where flavourings are permitted, with no maximum level prescribed." See foodstandards.gov.au. (last updated Nov 22, 2009)
Norway #
Norwegian law allows a maximum of 32 mg of caffeine per 100 ml of drink. In 2009, energy drinks such as Red Bull became legal in Norway because of trade agreements with Europe. Despite not being part of the European Union (EU), Norway is part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and European Economic Area (EEA). Since the EU changed its regulations to classify Red Bull-like energy drinks as food, members of the EFTA and EEA now must accept EU regulated foods and drinks as trade items. (thanks Y) (last updated Oct 14, 2009)
Russian Federation #
One visitor reports that energy drinks containing 30mg of caffeine per 100ml of liquid are widely available and "Red Bull shots" are also available which reportedly contain more. Caffeine tablets are available from pharmacies, usually a prescription is required. (unconfirmed) (thanks AA) (last updated Jan 13, 2012)
If you have information about the legal status of this substance in any other country, please let us know.

CAUTION & DISCLAIMER #
Erowid legal information is a summary of data gathered from site visitors, government documents, websites, and other resources. We are not lawyers and can not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided here. We do our best to keep this information correct and up-to-date, but laws are complex and constantly changing. Laws may also vary from one jurisdiction to another (county, state, country, etc)...this list is not comprehensive.