Reports about a caffeinated peanut butter called STEEM started circulating the web earlier last month. However CBS New York reports that U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer wants the Food and Drug Administration to investigate the new caffeinated peanut butter that seems to target athletic and fitness market.
The news site further reports that Schumer spoke about the STEEM Peanut Butter last Monday. Allegedly, it contains as much caffeine as two cups of coffee in each two tablespoon serving. However Schumer claims that a single serving of STEEM delivers five times more caffeine than a can of Coke. He also added that it has many health risks especially to children.
STEEM Peanut Butter was launched by three friends in Massachusetts last year. It is sold mostly online and in selected fitness centres and small shops in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
The ultimate aim of the developers is to combine protein of peanuts with the energy boost of caffeine as further reported by the news site. This is better comparable to coffee since it is digested slowly as peanut butter is longer to digest than coffee.
However, the New York Democrat urged the FDA to investigate safety of using caffeine in peanut butter and in other food products.
"Caffeinated peanut butter should spur the agency to address the issue of caffeine," Schumer told reporters Sunday. "They should put limits on how much is allowed, particularly in snack foods ... And they should certainly require warning labels."
Schumer also noted the health consequences of consuming too much caffeine. "Too much caffeine can cause a person to be jittery -- everyone's experienced that. But it can raise their blood pressure, cause heart palpitations and worse," he said.
Meanwhile, STEEM has warned on its website that consumers should stick with the normal serving suggestions for the best effect. STEEM website warns:
"DO NOT GIVE TO ANIMALS. EVER. Fun fact: a lot of domestic animals, like dogs and cats and birds, cannot digest caffeine properly and it can lead to SERIOUS health issues. We know that your dog loves peanut butter and we know you think it'd be hilarious to get him all jacked up and crazy, BUT DON'T. SERIOUSLY. IT WOULD NOT BE HILARIOUS."
Do you feel FDA needs to regulate STEEM Peanut Butter more strictly? Will you try the caffeinated peanut butter yourself? Let us know by leaving your comments below.
