Skip to main content
A Singapore Government Agency Website How to identify
Official website links end with .gov.sg
Secure websites use HTTPS
Look for a lock () or https:// as an added precaution. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Scam alert: Beware of emails impersonating MOH that request for a mandatory “Digital Health Verification”.


MOH does not own this portal and will only request verification via official channels. If in doubt, call the MOH hotline at 6325 9220 to verify the email’s authenticity.

Ministry of Health
Parliamentary QA

PROTECTING CHILDREN AND YOUTHS FROM CAFFEINE OVERCONSUMPTION THROUGH MANDATORY LABELLING, HEALTH WARNINGS AND PUBLISHED CONSUMPTION GUIDELINES

8 October 2026

NOTICE PAPER NO. 1419

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 7 OCTOBER 2026


Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Alex Yeo

MP for Potong Pasir


Question No. 2226

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry has data on how many children or youths have sought medical attention relating to caffeine consumption over the past two years; (b) whether the Ministry will consider studying and publishing the effects of the caffeine consumption by children and youths, including recommended guidelines; and (c) whether popular high-caffeine energy drinks should be labelled with suitable warnings of such effects.


NOTICE PAPER NO. 1399

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 07 OCTOBER 2026


Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye

MP for Radin Mas


Question No. 2203

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health in light of recent findings on possible caffeine overconsumption among youths, whether the Ministry will consider requiring beverages exceeding a specified caffeine threshold to (i) display their caffeine content in milligrams per serving and (ii) carry a standardised front-of-pack caffeine advisory, particularly on recommended caffeine intake for children and adolescents.


Answer

1        My response will also address written PQ 2203 raised by Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye for the same sitting.

2        The Ministry of Health does not collect data on how many children or youths have sought medical attention relating to caffeine consumption.

3        The Ministry has not conducted studies on the effects of caffeine consumption by children and youths as this is well documented in international studies. While there is currently no recognised health-based guidance for caffeine intake and no international standards on a safe level of caffeine allowed to be added to food, local paediatric advice is that children under 12 years of age should avoid caffeine, while adolescents aged 12 to 18 years should consume no more than 100mg of caffeine per day (equivalent to around 1 cup of coffee/day).

4        In Singapore, high-caffeine energy drinks have accounted for less than 1% of total sales of sugar-sweetened beverages since 2017.  They are also not sold in schools, because they do not meet the Healthier Choice Symbol endorsement criteria, due to potential health risk associated with high caffeine intake. 

 5       We are closely monitoring local consumption, as well as international developments. We do not rule out implementing additional measures should the risk assessment change. The public can access information on caffeine and its effects on HealthHub to support informed consumption decisions. Consumers Association of Singapore’s recent consumer advisory on caffeine consumption among youths also further reinforces the importance of being mindful of total caffeine intake, including from commonly consumed caffeinated beverages.