Rhode Island Senate mulls ban on caffeine powder for minors
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The Rhode Island Senate is set to decide whether to ban the sale of powdered caffeine to minors.
Lawmakers were scheduled to vote on the bill Tuesday but postponed it to Wednesday.
Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Crowley, of Central Falls, says pure caffeine products are as dangerous as alcohol and shouldn't be sold to people under 18. Crowley sponsored the bill.
She cites the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which advises consumers not to use powdered caffeine.
The FDA says two young men in Ohio and Georgia died after using the product. Ohio has since outlawed it.
The FDA says that one teaspoon has as much caffeine as 28 cups of coffee.
The Rhode Island Senate recently voted to ban the sale of powdered alcohol and vapor alcohol.