Should Caffeine Be Allowed in Gummy Candies?
Official title: Proposal to modify the use of caffeine as a supplemental ingredient
Health Canada wants to allow caffeine in gummy candies—the same way it's already allowed in chocolate bars and energy gums. The catch? Any product with more than 56 mg of caffeine per serving would need a new warning label telling you not to mix it with coffee or energy drinks on the same day.
Why This Matters
Grab a caffeinated gummy before your workout? This could make that legal. But if you're a parent, pay attention—these products would need warnings about kids under 14. And if you're someone who already drinks coffee, the new labels would remind you not to double up.
What Could Change
Caffeine would be allowed in gummy candies for the first time. All high-caffeine snacks—gummies, chocolate bars, protein bars, and gum—would need a new warning: "Do not eat on the same day as any other source of caffeine." Companies have until January 1, 2028 to update their labels.
Key Issues
- Should caffeine be permitted in gummy candies under the same rules as chocolate?
- Should all high-caffeine snacks require a warning against combining with other caffeine sources?
- Is the January 2028 deadline reasonable for companies to update their labels?
How to Participate
- Review the List of Permitted Supplemental Ingredients to understand current caffeine rules.
- Send your comments to food.ibr-ipr.aliments@hc-sc.gc.ca with "caffeine (P-SIS-25-01)" in the subject line.