news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060803/od_nm/coffee_odd_dc
Thu Aug 3, 8:05 AM ET TAIPEI (Reuters) - Coffee shop chains in Taiwan added caffeine-content advisories to their drink menus this week after health authorities warned about having one cup too many. ADVERTISEMENT Coffee chains are putting red marks next to coffee drinks with more than 200 mg of caffeine, yellow marks beside caffeine levels of 100-200 mg and green marks next to drinks with less than 100 mg. The government found during more than a month of research that excessive caffeine can cause symptoms such as dizziness and upset stomachs, a Department of Health Bureau of Food Sanitation official said. The government also learned that excess caffeine could cause anxiety, bad moods and trouble at work, Taiwan media reported. "There could be some consumers who are afraid of drinking too much caffeine," a Department of Health Bureau of Food Sanitation official said Thursday. Eleven chains would follow the Consumer Protection Commission's advice, which took effect Monday, and is touted as the first of its kind in the world, local media reported. The US chain, Starbucks Coffee, which is among Taiwan's largest chains with 173 stores, began preparing caffeine-alert leaflets in mid-June. Stores now leave leaflets next to the condiments and stirring sticks, advising customers that a grande brewed coffee of the day contains 260 mg of caffeine, the highest of any drink sold. "If customers are afraid of overdoing it, they can drink low-caffeine coffees," said Taiwan Starbucks spokeswoman Lin Chia-chen.
A Taipei barista pumps coffee at a coffee shop in Taipei August 3, 2006, days after an unusual government caffeine-content advisory took effect throughout Taiwan. The government has asked coffee shop chains to post notices on how much caffeine is in each cup so customers do not harm their health by drinking too much.
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