Caffeine limit for energy drinks in India (regulation 2.10.6)

Indian food law has regulated caffeinated drinks as a defined category since regulation 2.10.6 was added to the Food Products Standards and Food Additives Regulations. The regulation sets a caffeine range of 145 to 300 mg per litre, a floor as well as a ceiling, so that a product sold as a caffeinated beverage delivers what its category implies, and permits specified functional ingredients such as taurine, glucuronolactone and inositol within limits. It requires cautionary statements on the label: the caffeine content, a warning that the product is not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women and people sensitive to caffeine, and guidance on daily intake.

What the regulation did not do was police the word 'energy drink', which manufacturers continued to use as their category name. FSSAI's June 2026 orders closed that gap by requiring the regulatory name 'Caffeinated beverage' on all packs within 90 days, with the caffeine declaration and warnings displayed as the regulation requires. The deadline is 29 Sep 2026.

The caffeine cap is a restriction, not a ban, and no beverage is prohibited by it. Exact warning text and ingredient limits are to be quoted from the regulation.