The East African Community (EAC) has published Draft Standard DEAS 29-2:2026 – Water-based Flavoured Drinks: Energy Drinks, introducing harmonized requirements for energy drinks across partner states, including Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. To ensure public safety, the draft standard sets strict physiological limits on active ingredients per 100 ml: Taurine: Capped at a maximum of 400.0 mg. Glucuronolactone: Capped at a maximum of 240.0 mg. Inositol: Capped at a maximum of 20.0 mg. Caffeine: The draft mandates that caffeine levels must fall strictly within the range of 200–320 mg/l (milligrams per liter). New labelling requirements: Mandatory warning stating that the product is not recommended for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and caffeine-sensitive individuals Recommended daily consumption limit of 500 ml per day or an equivalent caffeine intake statement aligned with the 400 mg caffeine RDA Carbonated products must clearly display the term “Carbonated” near the product name The draft is currently open for regional review and stakeholder consultation before final adoption by EAC member states.
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