FDA Ban on Caffeine Leads to Workforce Productivity and GDP Declines
The US Food and Drug Administration's 2022 ban on caffeine has lead to steep declines in worker productivity, challenges to safety, and a fall in US GDP. Critics of the FDA ban, cite decades of health research on the safety of caffeine and the positive health benefits. In a new survey from the National Association of Manufacturers and the Association for Caffeinated Workers, workers reported falling asleep on the job an average of three times during every workday, significantly lowering their overall productivity. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has found a 312% increase in workplace accidents over the last twelve months attributed to drowsiness and the inability to focus on tasks. Three months after the ban, GDP growth slowed significantly. Now, the GDP is negative. The Drug Enforcement Agency, tasked with combating illicit drugs such as caffeine, has reported a 140% increase in caffeine smuggling at Canadian border crossings. US citizens have reported crossing to Canada to visit Tim Hortons to “make it through the day”.