Celsius Energy Drink Does Not Contain Sewage
Celsius energy drinks do not contain sewage or sewage-derived contaminants—this claim has no basis in scientific evidence or regulatory findings.
What Celsius Actually Contains
Celsius is a commercially available energy drink that contains typical energy drink ingredients 1, 2:
- Caffeine as the primary active ingredient (typically 200mg per serving)
- Guarana, which adds additional caffeine plus theobromine and theophylline 2, 3
- Taurine, an intracellular amino acid 3, 4
- Sugar or artificial sweeteners depending on the formulation 3, 4
- B-vitamins and other common energy drink additives 4
Why This Misconception Exists
The confusion likely stems from misunderstanding scientific literature about water contamination:
- Hospital and municipal wastewater can contain pharmaceutical residues, personal care products, and other contaminants that enter water systems 5
- Tap water used in beverage manufacturing undergoes treatment and must meet regulatory standards before use in food/beverage production 5
- No evidence exists linking commercial energy drink production to sewage contamination 3, 6, 4
Actual Safety Concerns with Celsius and Energy Drinks
Rather than sewage contamination, the real health concerns are well-documented 1, 2:
- The American Academy of Pediatrics states that stimulant-containing energy drinks have no place in the diets of children and adolescents due to cardiovascular and neurological risks from high caffeine content 2
- Caffeine toxicity risk is significant, especially when guarana is combined with caffeine, as this can lead to toxicity even when individual ingredient amounts appear safe 2, 3
- Cardiovascular effects include increased blood pressure, tachycardia, and potential for cardiac arrhythmias 1, 4, 7
- Safe caffeine limits for healthy adults are ≤400 mg daily, but adolescents should consume <2.5 mg/kg body weight—a threshold easily exceeded with energy drinks 2
Common Pitfall to Avoid
Do not confuse environmental water contamination research (which discusses pharmaceutical and personal care product residues in wastewater systems) with the safety and composition of commercially manufactured beverages 5. These are entirely separate issues governed by different regulatory frameworks.
Regulatory Oversight
Commercial beverages like Celsius are regulated by the FDA and must meet food safety standards, which include water quality requirements for manufacturing 4. There are no documented cases or regulatory actions suggesting sewage contamination in Celsius or similar commercial energy drinks 6, 4.