Those adverse effects have been reported in children as well as in adults. Eighty percent of the soft drinks consumed were the heavily sweetened, non-diet variety. In another study, children who consumed one or more soft drinks a day consumed one-fifth less calcium than children who did not drink soft drinks. To give consumers more information to make educated decisions about caffeine consumption, we urge that Health Canada implement the following measures. I. Health Canada should require that caffeine content be disclosed on food labels.
Caffeine is present in a variety of foods and beverages.
It is found not only in coffee, tea, and colas, but also in ice cream and yogurt. It is difficult for consumers to predict the caffeine content of many of those foods and beverages, since the levels of caffeine vary widely between brands. For example, Maxwell House percolator coffee has 173 mg of caffeine per 236 mL serving while Tasters' Choice has less than half that amount. Many Canadians are interested in information about the caffeine content of foods and beverages so that they can manage their intake. Drivers who wish to stay awake and students studying for exams may rely on caffeine to help them stay alert.