Current status: Answered by Jenni Minto on 11 February 2026
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review any health risks associated with young people in Scotland consuming caffeinated chewing gum, in light of the warning issued by the Nottinghamshire County Council Trading Standards department on 9 October 2025 regarding such products.
While risk analysis of regulated food products is now a GB responsibility, there has been no change to the scientific advice on caffeine since 2015 when extensive evidence was considered by the European Food Safety Authority. Food Standards Scotland and the Food Standards Agency has published joint guidance to support the safe consumption of food supplements containing high levels of caffeine.
We do however recognise that evidence in relation to caffeine consumption continues to evolve and will continue to keep the evidence under review.