Costa’s f lat whites have more caffeine than three Red Bulls

OF all the drinks that have fuelled the boom in coffee shops in recent years, the flat white surely ranks as one of the most popular.

But for those enjoying one at their nearest Costa, a word of warning – your drink contains more caffeine than three cans of Red Bull.

Research by advisers to Britain’s Food Standards Agency found the coffee served by national chains contains much more caffeine than energy drinks, which have long been criticised as a potential health risk to children. According to advisory Committee on Toxicity, a flat white from Costa Coffee had the highest amount of caffeine for a regular 450ml size drink. It came in at 277mg of caffeine, which is more than three times the 80mg in

a standard 250ml can of Red Bull. A regular 472ml latte from Starbucks had 150mg of caffeine, while the same size drink from McDonald’s had 145mg.

Meanwhile, a 354ml coffee from Caffe Nero was put at 80mg. Understanding

caffeine levels is difficult because coffee shops use different serving sizes and do not declare the information in their outlets.

Adults are recommended not to exceed an intake of more than 400mg of caffeine a day, as it can

interfere with sleep and increase the heart rate. Pregnant women are advised to take no more than 200mg a day and children should consume caffeine in moderation.

A typical cup of tea contains about 40mg of caffeine. Costa confirmed

the caffeine figures, adding that its flat white has three shots of coffee in 12oz (340ml) of milk.

The figures come as UK ministers have drawn up plans to ban the sales of energy drinks, such as Red Bull, to the under-16s – and potentially under-18s – because they are high in caffeine and sugar.

In Ireland, the supermarket chain Aldi banned the sale of energy drinks to under-16s earlier this year and Boots Ireland followed suit.

Critics argue the drinks fuel obesity and lead to disruptive behaviour.

However, a UK committee report found children’s greatest exposure to caffeine is through coffee, tea and chocolate – and not energy drinks.