Compare caffeine pouches and you will find two common serving sizes: 150mg and 200mg per pouch.
A larger number is not a better one. Caffeine is counted as a daily total, so the practical approach is to work back from how many you expect to use in a day.
This article sets out the published guidelines, then looks at where each serving size lands.
Two guidelines to start from
There are two separate figures: one for the daily total, one for a single serving.
| Guideline | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Daily total | Up to 400mg | European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Health Canada |
| Single serving | Up to 200mg | European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) |
| Pregnancy | Up to 200mg a day | European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) |
These apply to healthy adults. Japan has no regulatory limit on caffeine in foods, but the Food Safety Commission and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare both cite these overseas figures.
The single-serving figure is the one that gets overlooked. Watching only the daily total makes it easy to assume that a large single dose is fine as long as the day adds up.
The two sizes, expressed as a daily total
The difference in serving size shows up as how many you can use in a day.
| Per pouch | 1 | 2 | 3 | Room left at 2 pouches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 150mg | 150mg | 300mg | 450mg (over) | 100mg |
| 200mg | 200mg | 400mg | 600mg (over) | 0mg |
Both sit at two pouches a day. What differs is what is left afterwards.
- 150mg — two pouches is 300mg. A cup of coffee (about 90mg per 150ml) still fits inside 400mg.
- 200mg — two pouches is 400mg. That assumes no other caffeine that day.
Caffeine arrives from coffee, green tea, energy drinks and chocolate. The larger the serving, the tighter the constraint on everything else.
Against the single-serving figure
A 200mg product puts one pouch exactly at the EFSA single-serving guideline. It does not exceed it, but there is no margin.
At 150mg, one pouch sits 50mg inside that guideline. That margin matters when:
- You have already had coffee
- You expect an energy drink later
- You are still finding out how sensitive to caffeine you are
Sensitivity to caffeine varies between people. With an unfamiliar format, a smaller serving leaves more room to adjust.
What the numbers do not settle
Serving size is not the only thing to compare.
- Pouches per can and price — divide the price by the count to get a per-serving figure
- What else is in it — L-theanine, for example
- Whether it is labelled as a food — some caffeine products are sold as medicines
- Whether a daily guideline is printed — if it is not, you are doing the arithmetic yourself
There is more on this in how to choose a caffeine pouch.
Ne9
Ne9 contains 150mg of caffeine and 75mg of L-theanine per pouch. The stated daily guideline is up to two pouches, which is 300mg of caffeine.
A can holds 20 pouches at a planned price of ¥1,600, working out at roughly ¥80 per pouch.
It is a food — confectionery powder sealed in non-woven fabric. It is held in the mouth without chewing or swallowing, and removed afterwards.
The amounts are printed on the lid of the can, so they are readable both when buying and when using.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better for you, 150mg or 200mg?
Neither is "better". Caffeine is counted as a daily total, so choose the one that fits alongside everything else you take that day. If you need a health judgement, speak to a doctor.
Does two 200mg pouches exceed the guideline?
Two comes to 400mg, which is exactly the daily guideline for a healthy adult. It does not exceed it, but it leaves no room for any other caffeine. A 150ml cup of coffee adds about 90mg.
Can I use half a pouch to reduce the amount?
No. A pouch is a single serving and is not designed to be divided. To adjust, choose a smaller serving size or change how many you use.
What happens if I go over the daily guideline?
Japan's Food Safety Commission notes that excessive caffeine intake can cause dizziness, increased heart rate, anxiety, diarrhoea and nausea. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, people sensitive to caffeine and people taking medication should not use it, or should consult a doctor first.
What if the pack does not state a serving amount?
If it gives a total per can and a count, you can divide. If it gives neither, you cannot count what you are taking. Choose a product whose amount you can read off the label.
Sources
- Food Safety Commission of Japan, "Caffeine in food"
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, "Q&A on excessive intake of caffeine in food"
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Scientific Opinion on the safety of caffeine (2015)
For the format itself, see what is a caffeine pouch. For a day's total set against everyday drinks, see how much caffeine a day is the guideline.