Ne9 is being prepared for sale as a food product in Japan and is not yet on sale. See the product specifications and launch plans for current amounts, three planned flavours and indicative price.
Small pouches held in the mouth all look much the same. But the same shape does not mean the same contents, or the same legal treatment.
That is why the thing to read is not the shape but the label of the particular product. This article sets out how caffeine pouches are positioned in Japan.
What a caffeine pouch is
Powder containing caffeine, portioned into a small non-woven pouch. You hold it in the mouth; you do not chew it and you do not swallow it. It is not a drink, so no water, cup or equipment is needed.
Ne9 is confectionery powder sealed in non-woven fabric, designed and labelled as a food product.
However, a name does not settle what is inside or how a product is treated in law. Words like "pouch" or "refresh pouch" guarantee nothing about the contents, so check the ingredient label and the seller's information for each product.
The line between food and medicine
This is where most of the confusion sits.
Whether something counts as a food or a medicine is not decided by its shape alone. It is judged as a whole, from the ingredients, the form, how it is used, and any claims made about what it does.
The same powder can fall on either side of the line: state an effect such as "relieves drowsiness" and the wording moves towards a medicinal claim, while a food sets out amounts and how to use it and leaves it there.
Before buying, check that the packaging states that it is a food, the ingredients, the amounts, the daily guideline and the cautions. The detailed criteria are published by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in the standards on the scope of pharmaceuticals (Japanese).
How rules are applied can change. Whether any particular product may be sold is a matter for the seller and the relevant authorities. This article sets out only the broad framework.
What to check on the label
There are only a handful of things worth reading.
| What to check | Why |
|---|---|
| Caffeine per pouch | Amounts vary between products, which changes how much of your daily guideline one pouch uses |
| Daily guideline | Tells you how many the product is designed around |
| Ingredients | Shows what is in it, from the label rather than the name |
| A statement that it is a food | An indication of whether it carries food labelling for Japan |
| Seller | Gives you somewhere to ask |
There is more in how to choose a caffeine pouch and how much caffeine a day is the guideline?.
Common questions
Can I buy caffeine pouches in Japan?
Some products are sold online. Before buying, check the seller, the food labelling for Japan, the ingredients, the caffeine amount, the daily guideline and the cautions.
How do I tell one product from another that looks similar?
The ingredient label. The shape and the name tell you nothing about the contents. Check whether it carries labelling for Japan and what the ingredients say.
Are they habit-forming?
Caffeine is known to cause headaches and similar effects on stopping if taken regularly in large amounts. Keep to the daily guideline and count your other drinks alongside it.
How many can I use in a day?
It depends on the product. For Ne9 it is 150mg of caffeine per pouch, with a daily guideline of up to two pouches. Count coffee, tea and other sources alongside it.
Before you use one
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, sensitive to caffeine, taking medication or under treatment, please avoid use or consult a doctor first
- Avoid use before bed
- Do not swallow the pouch
- Keep out of reach of children and pets
Ne9 is confectionery powder sealed in non-woven fabric — a food product. 150mg of caffeine and 75mg of L-theanine per pouch. No sugar. It is being prepared for release; register your interest to hear when it launches.
This is a food product. It is not a medicine and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.