Sen. Charles Schumer recently urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a new caffeinated peanut butter product which he cautioned could give customers a dangerous jolt.
Makers of the new caffeinated STEEM peanut butter boast that a single serving has the same amount of caffeine in two cups of coffee. The product is available all over Connecticut and Massachusetts and can be bought online in 8 ounce jars for $5.99.
Schumer said that although the product may seem like an ordinary peanut butter, it is actually more dangerous.
"Parents shouldn't have to worry about their child biting into a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that contains more caffeine than a cup of Joe," the senator said.
Schumer indicated that having to think about storing the peanut butter inside a medicine cabinet instead of a kitchen cupboard should be a wake-up call for the FDA. He also said that this issue should spur the agency to be more wary when adding caffeine to food products and taking considerations as to how may affect the health consumers, especially children.
He suggested that the agency should create clear, definite rules regarding the safe limit for the consumption of food products that contain additional caffeine.
Meanwhile, Andrew Brach, Keith Barnofski and Chris Pettazzoni, creators of the STEEM peanut butter, said that they welcome the FDA and Schumer to review their product to see that the product is safe when used as directed.
The creators explained that their product is only marketed towards adults, and that the label shows the caffeine content, suggested serving size and recommendations for safe use. They also noted their willingness to comply with regulations to make STEEM safer.
The STEEM caffeinated peanut butter was designed to provide a consistent discharge of sustained energy. The product is targeted towards the fitness and athletics industry. STEEM is made with natural peanuts and has no artificial sweeteners. The makers also warned that the product should not be fed to domestic animals such as cats, dogs and birds because they cannot digest caffeine.
