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Kids Are Getting More Caffeine Than Parents Realize

Food And Drink Analyzed For Caffeine

Posted: 1:08 p.m. EDT June 20, 2003Updated: 3:16 p.m. EDT June 21, 2003

Children could be getting a lot more caffeine than you realize. Manufacturers are adding it to more and more products and companies don't have to list how much caffeine they've added.

Consumer Reports just analyzed 25 drinks and foods and consumer reporter Becky Thompson has the details of their study.

Most of us know there's caffeine in Pepsi and coke, but caffeine is in lots of other products, too, including mountain dew.

If caffeine has been added to a food, you'll see it listed under ingredients. But manufacturers don't have to list how much. If caffeine is found naturally in foods, it doesn't have to be listed on the label at all.

Consumer Reports David Heim checked the caffeine content in a variety of foods and drinks and turned up some surprising results. "Ounce for ounce Sunkist orange soda has nearly as much caffeine as colas do."

So does the Vitaminwater from Glaceau and Sobe energy drink.

There's also a hefty dose of caffeine in new drinks, including D-N-L, Pepsi Blue, Atomic Jacked apple juice drink and Red Fusion from Dr. Pepper.

Manufacturers say caffeine adds flavor.

Consumer Reports asked 56 middle-school-aged kids to do a taste test.

They were given unmarked cups of regular Coke and Pepsi, as well as caffeine-free versions. There was no clear-cut preference.

Some children actually liked the caffeine-free colas better.

You need to check the label on drinks closely. You'll find plenty of caffeine free sodas, including Orange Slice, Mug Root Beer and Sprite.

And remember, caffeine doesn't have to be listed on the label of chocolate or coffee-flavored foods because it occurs naturally.

Consumer Reports found a small container of Dannon's coffee flavored low fat yogurt has the same amount of caffeine as a can of coke.

You can get a complete listing of the amount of caffeine found in the products Consumer Reports analyzed by logging onto consumerreports.org.