A United States Senator is asking the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate a new brand of peanut butter that contains the same amount of caffeine as two cups of coffee, according to an article on foxnews.com.
Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) is warning his constituents about STEEM peanut butter, saying the 170 milligrams per serving could endanger those who don’t realize what they are getting when eating the spread that looks just like regular peanut butter.
Calling the spread a new caffeinated product that goes to where no product has gone before, Schumer warns it looks like an ordinary jar of peanut butter, but it is much more dangerous than an ordinary jar of peanut butter.
Schumer added the FDA doesn’t require the amount of caffeine to be listed on product labels, and food could have a lot of caffeine and the consumer would not be aware. If the FDA allows products of this type, adds Schumer, it could be spread on all types of products that kids eat, and it needs to be regulated.
“We need the FDA to let everyone know they’re not asleep at the wheel about the high levels of caffeine being infused into our snacks.” said the senator.
Currently STEEM peanut butter is only being sold in Connecticut and Massachusetts and can be purchased online for $4.99 for an eight-ounce jar.
The company, based in Massachusetts, says the product gets its kick from green-coffee extract mixed with a base of peanuts, salt, peanut oil and agave nectar, and STEEM co-founder Chris Pettazzon called the product a time-saver, saying you could get two products in one jar.
The product was designed to provide a jolt of energy, like coffee, and the company says it is a safe product when used as directed.
Creators of the peanut butter say they would welcome the FDA and Sen. Schumer to review their product, and that they are willing to comply with any regulations that would make STEEM safer to use.
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