STEEM Caffeinated Peanut Butter (Photo : Twitter)
A new brand of peanut butter not only includes crunchy, creamy goodness for a pb&j sandwich, homemade cookies, or celery sticks, but also more caffeine than a can of Coke and a bottle of Red Bull. On November 8, Sunday, United States Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) warned that STEEM is a caffeinated peanut butter that could be a health problem for people assuming it is a normal spread like Jif, Skippy, or Peter Pan. He wants the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate it.
STEEM contains 170 milligrams of caffeine per serving. Schumer explained that while the product has the appearance and price of an ordinary jar of peanut butter, it is more dangerous.
It is reportedly only sold in a total one dozen Connecticut and Massachusetts stores, but Schumer is concerned about the effects of a wider roll-out, according to New York Post. He called for FDA regulation.
Schumer explained that the FDA does not require the caffeine content of products to be added on food labels. This could result in other caffeinated snacks that give a jolt, such as candy or Popsicles.
The Massachusetts-based producer of STEEM welcomed more federal regulation. It is certain it would result in the public learning that the peanut butter brand is totally safe when used as the container's label directs people.
The product's manufacturer also argued that its caffeine is released slowly, according to ABC7NY. That is because peanut butter requires more time to digest than coffee.
Products with ultra-high caffeine contents include Chameleon Cold Brew, Death Wish Coffee, and X-Mode Energy Shot. However, pure caffeine powder is the strongest type of caffeinated product on the market, with an astronomical 124,000 milligrams of caffeine per package. The industry recently received an FDA warning.
STEEM's 8-ounce jar of peanut butter costs $5.99 each and can be purchased online. The brand was launched last year.
