Sen. Bob Casey Jr., D-Scranton, asked the Food and Drug Administration on Monday to ban the sale of pure caffeine powder, which has been tied to the deaths of two teenagers in Ohio and Georgia.
The product is usually marketed as a dietary supplement and is available in stores and online. The FDA, which cautions against buying the chemical, says one teaspoon of pure caffeine is the equivalent of about 25 cups of coffee. A Tribune-Review search of online suppliers found the price runs about $1.75 per ounce.
“The FDA has taken some steps to warn consumers about the dangers of powdered caffeine, but it's time for more action,” Casey said.
The symptoms of a caffeine overdose are different if taken in pure powder form versus caffeinated food and drink, according to an FDA statement. Users could have a fast or erratic heartbeat, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, stupor and disorientation.
“It is nearly impossible to accurately measure powdered pure caffeine with common kitchen measuring tools, and you can easily consume a lethal amount,” FDA documentation says.
