Research continues into the potential impact of maternal caffeine consumption on baby weight with news this week that scientists from the UK universities of Leicester and Leeds have been commissioned to explore the phenomenon.
The agency hopes that the new research will clarify current uncertainties as to the risk caffeine consumption poses to the unborn baby. As a consequence, it hopes to provide a more robust basis on which to offer advice to pregnant women. Current FSA advice, based on the opinion of the Committee on Toxicity (COT), limits caffeine intake to the equivalent of no more than four average cups of coffee a day.
According to the FSA, unlike much of the previous research into the possible effects of caffeine on reproductive health, this new study, from a pool of 3,000 women, is a prospective study that includes biomarkers of caffeine intake and explores inter-individual variations in caffeine metabolism. In addition, it will cover all sources of caffeine intake, not just tea and coffee.
Launched in January 2003, the study, part of the agency's Risk Assessment Programme, is due for completion by the end of March 2006. Caffeine consumption from all sources will be assessed by a questionnaire - including a three-day food and drink diary - and will be validated by measurement of caffeine and caffeine metabolites in urine and saliva at different stages during the pregnancy.
Dr Marcus Cooke, heading up the Leicester team, commented : "This multi-disciplinary study brings together experts in biomonitoring, public health, epidemiology, nutrition, obstetrics and midwifery.
The size of the study requires recruitment of women from three of the country's largest maternity units."