Suffolk County bans sale of powdered caffeine to minors
RIVERHEAD (WABC) -- Powdered caffeine is used by some some to boost workouts, lose weight or to get a jolt of energy. But soon, it will soon be illegal for anyone under 18 to buy it on parts of Long Island.
Officials in Suffolk County on Tuesday became the first in the nation to ban the sale of powdered caffeine to minors.
Come January, any business that sells the substance to most teenagers will face penalties.
In its pure state, one teaspoon of powdered caffeine is equal to 25 cups of coffee.
Legislators say taking even a small amount of the highly-potent stimulant can lead to accidental overdose, with the biggest problem being the difficulty in safely measuring it. One serving is one-sixteenth of a teaspoon.
The FDA is considering regulatory action since nationwide, there have been more than two dozen cases of kids getting sick. In one instance, an 18-year-old high school wrestler in Ohio died.
Some officials say using powdered caffeine is like intending to purchase fire crackers and instead being sold a stick of dynamite.
"This is on the internet, and it is slowly coming to retail stores," Suffolk County Legislator William Spencer said. "And what we are doing here is that we are saving lives. We are saving children's lives. And by no means, by passing this, is that an endorsement that adults should use this. This should be banned outright. But this is a great bold first step."
Officials also expressed concerns that some might try to snort the powdered caffeine or employ other methods, which would present an even more dangerous response.
"They're snorting it, and we've heard they're using enemas, injecting it anally to get the rapid effects of it," legislator DuWayne Gregory said.
Symptoms of caffeine toxicity include dangerously erratic heartbeat, seizures, vomiting and diarrhea.
The new law does not impact sales on the internet, where the bulk of the powdered caffeine is sold. But officials hope this new law ultimately pushes the FDA to ban the substance.
