Schools Restrict Caffeine Pouches Over Similarity to Nicotine Products

Caffeine pouches are small packets filled with 50 mg to 200 mg of caffeine, sometimes mixed with amino acids, minerals, or vitamins. The pouches dissolve between the gums and cheeks, with absorption reported as fast as 20 minutes by one brand. They are sold in retail stores and online and carry labels stating they are intended for adults.

Onsted Middle School in Onsted, Michigan, posted a notice to parents on May 11 stating it had observed an increase in students bringing the products to school. The notice said the pouches resemble nicotine pouches in appearance and use, creating confusion and shifting attention from the learning environment.

The school directed families to keep the products at home. Holton Public Schools in Holton, Kansas, issued a similar notice in January. The district said staff cannot reliably distinguish caffeine pouches from nicotine pouches and therefore prohibits all such products.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states there is no safe amount of caffeine for young children and recommends children age 2 and under avoid caffeinated products. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend caffeine for children of any age.

Dr. Zachary Binder, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at UMass Memorial Medical Center, said caffeine absorbed through a pouch enters the bloodstream faster than when consumed in beverages. He noted this delivery method can result in higher blood levels and cited risks including heart arrhythmias and interactions with medications such as antidepressants.

Binder said he still advises parents to discuss caffeine risks with their children even though he does not frequently treat such cases in the emergency department.