About
What it is and where it shows up.
Taurine is a naturally occurring amino sulfonic acid synthesised endogenously from methionine and cysteine, and obtained through dietary consumption of meat and dairy products. It is added to energy drinks and dietary supplements for its roles in cellular hydration, osmoregulation, cardiovascular function, and neurological support.
Safety summary
The regulatory and scientific consensus.
Both FDA and EFSA have concluded that taurine has no potential for carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, genotoxicity, or reproductive toxicity. An observed safe level of 3,000 mg/day for adults has been established from published human studies. Caution is warranted for children, pregnant and lactating women, and individuals with impaired renal function, as excess taurine is primarily eliminated via renal excretion.
Regulatory landscape
What food-safety regulators have decided.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | EFSA ANS Panel (2009 scientific opinion) concluded that taurine exposure from regular energy drink consumption is not a safety concern and resolved prior SCF concerns regarding possible neurological effects. Taurine is also included in the positive list of additional substances (amino acids and related compounds) under EU Regulation No. 609/2013 for foods for specific nutritional groups. The 1,400 mg/day figure is the EFSA reference intake used in energy-drink risk characterisation, not a formal ADI.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Permitted in carbonated caffeinated energy drinks at a maximum of 2,000 mg per serving. Mandatory label warning: 'Not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women, persons sensitive to caffeine.' Taurine is also under review as part of FSSAI's broader energy-drink standards risk-assessment process.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | GRAS determination (GRN 000586) for use as an ingredient in noncarbonated, flavored, water-based beverages at 0.0045%; 3,000 mg/day recognised as the observed safe level for adults based on published human safety reviews.source |
Who should approach with care
Whose guidance would steer them away.
Children — FSSAI mandates that taurine-containing energy drinks carry a label warning that they are 'Not recommended for children,' and EFSA has specifically noted the need to monitor energy-drink consumption in children and adolescents given their proportionately higher exposure relative to body weight.
Pregnancy — FSSAI requires labelling of taurine-containing energy drinks as not recommended for pregnant women; high-dose supplemental taurine intake during pregnancy has not been adequately characterised in human studies.
Lactation — FSSAI requires labelling of taurine-containing energy drinks as not recommended for lactating women; effects of supplemental taurine at doses above dietary levels during lactation remain insufficiently studied.
Kidney Disease — The FDA GRAS dossier notes that excess ingested taurine is eliminated primarily by renal excretion, raising the possibility of accumulation and adverse effects in individuals with impaired kidney function at high supplemental doses.
Research citations
The sources behind this verdict.
- 1FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations – Chapter 2.10: Beverages Other than Dairy and Fruits & Vegetables Based. fssai.gov.in
- 2PubMed. Caffeine, D-glucuronolactone and Taurine Content in Energy Drinks: Exposure and Risk Assessment, 2022. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3PubMed. Guidance on Safety Evaluation of Sources of Nutrients and Bioavailability of Nutrient from the Sources (European Regulatory Framework), 2020. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4FDA. Agency Response Letter GRAS Notice No. GRN 000586 – Taurine, 2015. fda.gov
- 5EFSA. Scientific Opinion on the safety of taurine and d-glucuronolactone as constituents of so-called 'energy' drinks (EFSA ANS Panel), 2009. efsa.europa.eu
Independently researched5 citations