New rules for caffeinated products

At the Food Ministers’ Meeting on 1 May 2026, Ministers agreed to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to introduce new requirements for the retail sale of caffeine and guarana extract as a food, and for adding caffeine to food for retail sale.

The changes are designed to address public health and safety concerns related to excessive caffeine consumption, particularly among vulnerable populations, and aim to curb the expansion of unsafe caffeinated products within the general food supply.

Key changes include prohibiting the retail sale of caffeine as a food, restricting when caffeine can be added to foods and limiting high-concentration guarana extract. New labelling will apply to packaged coffee beverages with high caffeine levels, including caffeine content per serve and advisory statements. Caffeine will be permitted in formulated supplementary sports foods within defined limits.

Existing permissions for caffeine in energy drinks and cola drinks remain unchanged, as does the use of ingredients that naturally contain caffeine, such as coffee or tea, unless the ingredient is considered an unapproved novel food.

The changes are designed to provide clearer rules, support informed consumer choice and maintain space for innovation within defined safety boundaries.

Food businesses will now have two years to comply.

Image credit: iStock.com/Arsenii Palivoda