Theobromine and Caffeine in Cacao Juice: What GRAS Notice 947 Measured

Cacao is known for theobromine, so it is fair to ask how much is in the pulp and juice. GRAS Notice 947 measured it, and it measured caffeine too. This article reports the numbers and the safety figures the notice cites, and says what they do and do not mean.

What was measured

• Theobromine in cacao pulp: 0.649 mg per 100 g. In the juice: 0.554 mg per 100 g. The notice summarizes this as 0.55 to 0.65 mg per 100 g.
• Caffeine: below the limit of detection in all of the juice samples.

What that means for a serving

Our serving suggestion is 100 to 200 mL. Counting 1 mL as about 1 g, that is roughly 0.6 to 1.3 mg of theobromine per serving. The notice quotes about 2057 mg per 100 g for cocoa powder (USDA), so the amount in the juice is a trace.

The safety figure, and how to read it

The notice's conclusion on theobromine rests on a no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of 97 mg per kg of body weight per day, found in a three-generation study in rats. That is an animal result, not a safe intake for people. For people, the notice reports that average theobromine intake in the United States for ages 2 and over is about 36.3 mg per day from other foods. A serving of the juice adds roughly 0.6 to 1.3 mg.

What we do not claim

The notice measured composition and reported safety figures. It does not measure any effect of theobromine or caffeine on how a person feels, and neither do we. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or you take blood thinners or other medication, ask your doctor before adding cacao juice to your diet.

Sources

• CABOSSE Naturals NV (notifier). GRAS Notice GRN 947: Cacao pulp, cacao fruit juice, and cacao fruit juice concentrate (FDA response: no questions). U.S. FDA GRAS Notice Inventory, 2020. Notice (PDF) (opens in a new tab).

Learn more

• What the studies report - What published studies and GRAS Notice 947 report
• Regulatory status - How cacao pulp and juice are treated in the United States, the European Union and Brazil
• Safety information - Serving suggestions and cautions
• Nutrition facts and sources - The measured values and where each comes from

This content is for educational purposes only and summarizes published sources. It is not medical advice.