For healthy adults, FDA has cited 400 milligrams a day—that's about four or five cups of coffee—as an amount not generally associated with dangerous, negative effects. We note that pregnant women are advised to consume less caffeine and that the American Academy of Pediatrics discourages caffeine consumption in children and adolescents.

Over the years, FDA has been considering the state of the science for the potential health effects of caffeine, including cardiovascular and central nervous system effects, with an emphasis on specific populations, such as pregnant women or children. We asked the Institute of Medicine to conduct a workshop to consider these concerns. The workshop summary is available online at the Institute of Medicine. FDA is continuing to review the science and data related to caffeine safety and caffeine intake.