Enquiries to Tox Info Suisse on poisoning involving food supplements

Tox Info Suisse records enquiries on acute poisoning in connection with food supplements, slimming foods and sports nutrition products. The analyses of the period 2014–24 show a rising number of enquiries and risks associated with caffeinated products.

Analysis of enquiries 2014–24

Tox Info Suisse provides advice in cases of acute poisoning and suspected poisoning. Two reports analyse enquiries relating to food supplements, slimming foods and sports nutrition products for the periods 2014–19 and 2020–24.

The number of enquiries is continually rising, standing at around 200–300 a year. Most cases involve only mild symptoms.

However, the reports show that highly concentrated caffeinated products can lead to moderate to severe acute poisoning.
In cases of acute, intentional intake by adults, caffeine was the leading substance in terms of frequency and severity of symptoms. A number of cases also required hospitalisation.

Acute caffeine intoxication

Caffeine was often consumed in sports, fitness or gaming products. The caffeine levels involved were significantly higher than the single oral dose of 200mg per person or the dose of 400mg per person per day from all sources, considered safe by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

The Swiss limits for caffeine in food supplements, sports nutrition and beverages such as energy drinks relate to the safe intake levels and are intended to protect consumer health. The reports show, however, that higher caffeine doses, particularly in sports nutrition products, can lead to adverse effects, including hospitalisation. It is essential that recommended doses on products are complied with.

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment also warns against overdosing on caffeine powder. Comparable amounts of caffeine cannot be reached by drinking coffee.

More information: BfR: Coffee, energy drinks and caffeine powder: Energizers with health risks?

Significance of the reports

The reports provide an overview of enquiries received by Tox Suisse on food supplements, slimming foods and sports nutrition products involving acute poisoning or suspected poisoning in which there is a probable link to a substance.

Conditions or illnesses where the link to a substance is not recognised or reported – for example in the case of lower doses over a longer period, or intake from longer ago – are underreported. The analysed reports are therefore not representative of the actual number of cases in this area.