{"hq_id":"hq-p-fod-000057","name":"Energy Drinks (caffeine-based)","category":{"primary":"food_contact","secondary":"beverage","tags":["caffeine","stimulant","adolescent_health","cardiac_risk"]},"product_tier":"FOD","overall_risk_level":"high","description":"Caffeinated energy beverages (Red Bull, Monster, Celsius, etc.). Contain 80-300mg caffeine per can plus taurine, B vitamins, guarana, sugar/artificial sweeteners. Acute toxicity risk in children and adolescents. Linked to cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, and death in susceptible individuals. Mixing with alcohol masks intoxication. No FDA upper caffeine limit for energy drinks (classified as dietary supplements, not beverages, by some brands).","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate_to_high","synthesis_confidence":0.519,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_adult","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1.15,"vulnerability_escalated":false,"escalation_reason":null,"compounds_resolved":1,"compounds_total":1,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"overall_risk":"high","primary_concerns":["Acute caffeine toxicity in children/adolescents (cardiac arrhythmia, seizures)","No FDA caffeine upper limit for energy drinks","Alcohol-masking effect when mixed","High sugar versions contribute to obesity/diabetes"],"sensitive_populations":"Children, adolescents, pregnant women, cardiac patients, caffeine-sensitive individuals","exposure_routes":"Ingestion (rapid consumption pattern)"},"exposure":{"routes":["ingestion"],"contact_types":[],"users":["adolescents","adult"],"duration":"","frequency":"daily","scenarios":[],"notes":"Often consumed rapidly; sometimes multiple cans; sometimes mixed with alcohol"},"consumer_guidance":{"red_flags":["Multiple cans per day","Consumption by children under 12","Mixing with alcohol","Consumption before/during intense exercise",">300mg caffeine per container"],"green_flags":["Clear caffeine content labeling","Age restriction at point of sale","Moderate caffeine (<120mg per serving)"],"what_to_ask":["What is the total caffeine content including guarana?","Is this classified as a dietary supplement or beverage?"],"alternatives":["Black coffee (lower volume caffeine)","Green tea","Water + electrolytes"],"notes":null},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":["FDA (no caffeine limit for dietary supplements)","EU Novel Food Regulation (caffeine labeling >150mg/L)","UK ban on sales to under-16s (voluntary)","Multiple countries restrict marketing to minors"],"certifications":[],"labeling":{},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":"aluminum can yes","disposal_guidance":"Recycle aluminum","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"12-18 months"},"formulation":{"form":"carbonated_beverage","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000144","name":"Caffeine","role":"stimulant","concentration_pct":"0.02-0.04"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000028","name":"Taurine","role":"amino_acid_supplement","concentration_pct":"0.4"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000025","name":"Sucralose / Acesulfame K","role":"sweetener","concentration_pct":"0.01-0.05"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000028","name":"Guarana extract","role":"additional_caffeine","concentration_pct":"0.1-0.5"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000144","compound_name":"Caffeine","role":"stimulant","typical_concentration":null}],"identifiers":{"manufacturer":"","common_names":[],"aliases":[],"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand A","manufacturer":"Consumer Products Corporation","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Widely available mass-market option"},{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand B","manufacturer":"Consumer Goods Ltd","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Popular budget alternative"},{"brand":"Premium Brand A","manufacturer":"Premium Consumer Inc","market_position":"premium","notable":"Upscale premium positioning"},{"brand":"Professional Brand","manufacturer":"Professional Products Co","market_position":"professional","notable":"Professional/salon-grade option"},{"brand":"Specialty Eco-Brand","manufacturer":"Natural Products Ltd","market_position":"premium","notable":"Sustainable/natural product line"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-23"},{"type":"regulation","title":"FDA (no caffeine limit for dietary supplements)","jurisdiction":"","id":"src_09e54d7c"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EU Novel Food Regulation (caffeine labeling >150mg/L)","jurisdiction":"","id":"src_de5d6665"},{"type":"regulation","title":"UK ban on sales to under-16s (voluntary)","jurisdiction":"","id":"src_9bc50ccd"},{"type":"regulation","title":"Multiple countries restrict marketing to minors","jurisdiction":"","id":"src_c63b0478"},{"id":"epa_phosmet_registration","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA: Phosmet Reregistration Eligibility Decision — Dietary and Occupational Risk Assessment, Aquatic Ecological Risk, OPIDN Assessment (2001–2015)","year":2015,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000144"},{"type":"regulatory","title":"US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_82d1cfcd","extraction":"description_reference"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-22","timestamp":"2026-05-13T22:17:03.207Z"}}