Senator Bertino-Tarrant Passes Caffeine Powder Ban Legislation

Submitted from the office of Illinois State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant

Last year, 18-year-old Logan Stiner of Ohio died from a caffeine powder overdose.

According to local reports, Stiner was found by his brother, collapsed on the floor of his home. The same day his brother found him, his mother discovered several bags of caffeine powder in their house. Sadly, Stiner, a popular student-athlete, was one week away from graduating from high school.

The County Coroner’s report said that Stiner suffered cardiac arrhythmia and a seizure as a result of ingesting toxic amounts of caffeine. One teaspoon of the powder is equal to drinking approximately 25 cups of coffee.

In order to prevent a tragedy like Stiner’s from occurring in Illinois, Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Plainfield) secured Senate passage today of legislation that would make it illegal for toxic caffeine powder to be sold to anyone under age 18.

“Powdered caffeine is dangerous because the substance is nearly 100 percent pure caffeine and difficult to measure with common kitchen tools,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “My legislation is a proactive approach to prevent minors from being able to use a substance that, by simple mistake, could be deadly.”

Bertino-Tarrant’s legislation, Senate Bill 9, now advances to the Illinois House.

According to the Food and Drug Administration website, pure caffeine is powerful and very small amounts may cause accidental overdose. The FDA advises those who believe they are having a severe reaction to caffeine to stop using it immediately and seek medical care. The FDA also wants to know about adverse effects associated with powdered pure caffeine. You or your health care provider can help by reporting these effects to the FDA by calling 240-402-2405 or emailing CAERS@cfsan.fda.gov.