Truth behind popular energy drink that is ‘flagged as cocaine’ in drug tests

A viral claim suggesting that Celsius energy drinks can cause false positives for cocaine in drug tests has sparked widespread confusion.

The controversy began when a Detroit Tigers sports reporter tweeted on June 8 that Major League Baseball (MLB) teams are advising players to avoid the popular drink.

‘Celsius has an ingredient known to flag as cocaine in MLB drug testing, and although it’s not officially banned, it’s strongly discouraged,’ they wrote in a now-deleted X post.

The post quickly spread across social media, likely due to how popular Celsius has become in the US – it is the third-largest energy drink company in the nation.

But the MLB’s product certifier has since come out to say the claims are not true.

‘We are not aware of any specific ingredient in Celsius that would cause a positive drug test result, nor have we communicated such concerns to any MLB club or player,’ the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) said.

Still, it comes at a time when Americans are becoming increasingly concerned about ingredients in their food and drinks.

Celsius beverages contain about 1,810 milligrams of taurine, far exceeding the typical daily intake of 40 to 400 milligrams. Taurine is an amino sulfonic acid that may promote the growth of bacteria linked to colorectal cancer, which are often more abundant in affected individuals’ guts.

A single can of Celsius contains between 200 and 270 milligrams of caffeine, a dangerously high amount under NCAA rules.

But there is no scientific evidence supporting the notion that Celsius ingredients could be read as cocaine in a drug test.

Tests for cocaine detect a specific metabolite called benzoylecgonine, a substance not found in Celsius or any of its listed ingredients.

Celsius contains common energy drink ingredients like caffeine, green tea extract and guarana seed extract, as well as artificial sweeteners.

These are not classified as banned substances, and there is no scientific evidence that they can trigger a false positive for the narcotic.

However, Celsius is not on the list of certified energy drinks for professional athletes.  

Beverages including C4 and Red Bull do carry the NSF certification and are commonly recommended to athletes. 

Obtaining NSF Certified for Sport status involves rigorous testing, including lot-by-lot analysis for banned substances, label accuracy and manufacturing audits. 

Celsius may not pursue this certification due to the significant cost, time and effort required, especially if their target market includes non-athlete consumers who don’t prioritize NSF certification.

Celsius is not FDA approved, a key issue cited in an ongoing class action lawsuit that accuses the company for misbranding and selling the drinks without proper regulatory clearance.

Representatives for Celsius have not responded to the Daily Mail’s request for comment.

However, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has not banned Celsius specifically, but it does enforce strict limits on caffeine intake for student-athletes. 

‘Some collegiate athletes may have questions about whether one ingredient in CELSIUS products – caffeine derived from guarana extract – raises any issues under NCAA rules,’ Celsius stated on its website. 

It states that a urine caffeine concentration above 15 micrograms per milliliter will trigger a positive result, typically the equivalent of consuming 500 mg of caffeine within a few hours of competition.

A single can of Celsius contains 200 to 270 mg of caffeine, meaning two cans consumed in a short time frame could easily exceed the NCAA threshold. 

These limits are in place to reduce health risks from excessive stimulant use, including jitteriness, rapid heart rate, and dehydration.

Celsius energy drinks contain guarana, taurine, and L-carnitine, none of which are banned by the NCAA or US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). 

However, guarana is a concentrated source of caffeine, and excessive consumption could push athletes over the NCAA’s caffeine threshold. 

A 12-oz can of Celsius typically contains about two eight-ounce cups of coffee. 

The FDA recommends healthy adults limit caffeine to 400 mg daily (roughly two cans of Celsius), but individual sensitivity varies. 

For some, even one can may cause jitters or other effects. Caffeine’s half-life of three to five hours means repeated consumption can lead to accumulation.

Celsius has faced a class-action lawsuit over alleged misbranding, such as misleading claims about preservatives. 

While energy drinks are regulated by the FDA as dietary supplements or beverages, athletes should verify product safety and compliance before use.