Bestimmung der Coffeingehalte verschiedener Lebensmittel am österreichischen Markt

The caffeine content of 122 products from the categories coffee, cola, icetea, tea, energy drinks, energy shots, Joghurts, caffeine based drinks and chocolate was investigated. After sample preparation via solid phase extraction, analyses were done with RP-HPLC and UV-detection. Highest caffeine concentrations (75,5 mg/100 ml) were determined in a coffee sample from a pad machine. Within the product category of energy drinks the caffeine content varied and was in a range between 26,7 and 34,0 mg/100 ml, which corresponds to reference values within the Austrian Food Code. Higher variability was determined within the product category colas (4,1-13,2 mg/100 ml). Particular high caffeine concentrations were found in energy shots (up to 135 mg/100 ml) which belong to the category "dietary supplements". These products comprise comparative high caffeine concentrations, but the volume is limited to 60 ml, resulting in a caffeine content at most of 80 mg/shot.