The new study suggests intakes of up to 400mg of caffeine per day do not raise safety concerns for healthy adults. An average cup of filter coffee contains around 90mg of caffeine.
Safe limits for children and pregnant women are much lower.
The EFSA carried out the risk assessment after some EU Member States raised concerns about the safety of caffeine consumption in the population, and amongst specific groups such as pregnant women and adults consuming caffeine together with alcohol or energy drinks.
The authority found that around a third of people in Denmark, 17% in the Netherlands and 14% in Germany are consuming more than the recommended 400mg.
Most age groups across the EU are consuming under the recommended 400mg of caffeine. Adults consume around 37-319mg; the elderly (65-75 years) consume around 23-362mg; and the very elderly (75+) consumer 22-417mg.
The EFSA recommends 200mg a day for pregnant women due to the impact of the growing foetus and, although there was a limited amount of data, recommends 3mg per day for every kilogram the child weighs.
No correlation between caffeine posing an extra risk as a result of combining it with alcohol could be found.
However, other research has highlighted health benefits of drinking three to five cups of coffee, with a South Korean study suggesting it can reduce the risk of heart attacks.
Other research released this week by ASAP Science found that drinking coffee should be avoided between 8am-9am, 12noon-1pm and 5:30pm-6:30pm. Largely because the amount of cortisol (stress hormone) peaks between 8am-9am meaning our bodies are trying to wake us up anyway.
Drinking coffee during this hour lessens the caffeine’s effect and starts to build a tolerance against its effect. Also, ASAP Science recommends coffee should be avoided are meal times.