Mothers-to-be advised they should cut the caffeine

PREGNANT women are being advised to cut their caffeine intake after a study linked the stimulant to babies with a low birth weight. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) revised its guidance from a maximum of 300mg of caffeine a day to 200mg, a reduction of one-third.

This means women should stick to a maximum of two average-sized cups of coffee per day, although women who have been drinking three cups per day have been told not to worry unduly.

Andrew Wadge, the FSA's chief scientist, said: "This is new advice but these are not new risks. I want to reassure women that if you're pregnant and have been following the previous advice, the risk is likely to be small."

Children born with a low birth weight are more likely to suffer a range of health problems including heart disease and diabetes.

The FSA guidance means women should limit themselves to three or four cups of tea a day and watch their intake of cola, chocolate and energy drinks as all contain caffeine. Drinks bought from coffee shops may contain much more caffeine than the average-sized home-made cup of tea or coffee.