Taiwan Caps Daily Caffeine Intake at 300mg: What You Need to Know

If you’ve ever wondered whether your daily triple-shot espresso or large takeaway coffee might be too much, Taiwan’s food safety authority has set clear limits based on actual caffeine content. With more people relying on coffee for energy, knowing how much is safe—without overdoing it—is essential for long-term health.

The quick answer: Taiwan’s health regulators recommend no more than one cup per day of a 'red label' coffee (200+ mg caffeine), up to three 'green label' cups (under 100 mg each), or a mix that doesn’t exceed 300 mg total caffeine daily.

How Taiwan Labels Coffee by Caffeine Content

Coffee sold in Taiwan is colour-coded red, yellow, and green based on caffeine levels per serving. This system was introduced to help consumers easily identify how much caffeine they’re consuming. Red labels indicate high-caffeine drinks (200 mg or more per cup), yellow indicates medium (100–200 mg), and green denotes low-caffeine beverages (under 100 mg).

Daily Caffeine Safety Limit Set by Health Experts

According to the European Food Safety Authority—which Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) references—up to 300 mg of caffeine per day is not considered harmful to health for the general population. That’s the maximum recommended limit to avoid negative effects such as insomnia, increased heart rate, or anxiety.

What Each Coffee Colour Means for Your Daily Intake

Taiwan’s TFDA offers straightforward guidance based on these colour codes:

• Red label (200+ mg caffeine per cup): Limit to one cup per day.
• Yellow label (100–200 mg per cup): Up to two cups per day is acceptable.
• Green label (below 100 mg per cup): You can safely drink up to three cups per day.

In practice, this means you can mix and match, as long as your total caffeine intake stays under 300 mg daily. For perspective, a typical large Takeaway coffee often falls into the red zone, while a small Americano or filtered coffee may be yellow or green.

How to Use the Labelling System for Healthier Coffee Habits

The colour-coded labelling helps you make informed choices without needing to calculate exact caffeine milligrams yourself. By sticking to the “one red, two yellows, or three greens” guideline—or keeping total intake under 300 mg—you can enjoy coffee while minimising health risks. Always check the label on the cup or packaging to see which colour category your drink falls into.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum safe caffeine intake per day in Taiwan?

Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration follows EU health guidelines, advising that up to 300 mg of caffeine per day is safe for most people and not linked to adverse health effects.

What does a red label on coffee mean in Taiwan?

A red label means the coffee contains 200 mg or more of caffeine per cup. The TFDA recommends drinking no more than one red-labelled coffee per day.

What about yellow and green-labelled coffees?

Yellow-labelled coffee has 100–200 mg caffeine per cup—up to two cups per day is considered safe. Green-labelled coffee contains less than 100 mg per cup, and you can have up to three cups daily.

How can I tell which label my coffee has?

Cafés and packaged coffee in Taiwan are required to display red, yellow, or green labels indicating their caffeine content per cup, making it easy to follow the intake guidelines.

Does 300 mg of caffeine include all sources, or just coffee?

The 300 mg daily limit refers to total caffeine intake from all sources, including tea, energy drinks, and supplements—not just coffee.

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