March 23/Toronto/The Toronto Star -- Non-cola soft drinks could soon be spiked with an eye-opening ingredient -- the caffeine that is already added to colas. Health Canada announced it is authorizing the use of caffeine as a food additive in all carbonated soft drinks, not just cola-type beverages.
Beverage companies will be allowed to add synthetic caffeine to non-cola soft drinks in concentrations no higher than 150 parts per million. The maximum amount of caffeine allowed in colas is 200 parts per million. Similar levels of caffeine are allowed in non-cola soft drinks outside Canada, including the U.S. and Europe.