Fresh warning to gym-goers taking caffeine before workouts after tragic death of superfit personal trainer

Health chiefs have issued a stark warning against taking high doses of caffeine supplements often taken to fuel workouts following the accidental death of a super fit father.

Personal trainer Thomas Mansfield, 29, died of a cardiac arrest in January 2021 within hours of ‘necking’ a mixture that contained seven times the recommended daily dose of caffeine. 

Minutes after drinking the supplement mix — which was the caffeine equivalent to 200 coffees — he began ‘frothing at the mouth’ and ‘clutching his chest’. 

An inquest heard that Mr Mansfield, of Colwyn Bay, North Wales, had been mistakenly taking nearly 16 times the recommended maximum dose listed on the back of the packet.   

Now, The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued fresh warnings to customers, urging them to take extra care when following the correct doses. 

Personal trainer Thomas Mansfield, 29, died of a cardiac arrest in January 2021 within hours of ‘necking’ a mixture that contained seven times the recommended daily dose of caffeine

The FSA’s chief scientific adviser, Professor Robin May, said: ‘While caffeine is found naturally in many food products, we have evidence that people are unaware of the higher levels of caffeine in some supplements and the risk this can pose.

‘Pure and highly concentrated caffeine supplements such as caffeine powder can be extremely potent.

‘So you should always follow the dose instructions on the label and use appropriate measuring equipment to make sure it’s accurate.

‘If people are experiencing caffeine side effects, such as sleeplessness and agitation, they should consider the amount of caffeine they are getting from supplements in addition to other components of their diet.’

The body added that it now recommends pregnant women limit their daily caffeine limit to 200mg — roughly two mugs of instant coffee or one mug of filter coffee.

They should also check the label for a warning that states the product may be unsuitable.

Minutes after drinking the supplement mix — which was the caffeine equivalent to 200 coffees — he began ‘frothing at the mouth’ and ‘clutching his chest’

An inquest heard that Mr Mansfield, of Colwyn Bay, North Wales, had been mistakenly taking nearly 16 times the recommended maximum dose listed on the back of the packet

The FSA continued: ‘We are also reminding businesses of their responsibility to supply safe food and comply with food labelling and compositional requirements, so that consumers will have information to help them make informed choices about what they’re eating.’

Caffeine come in various different forms, including powders, gels, capsules and effervescent tablets, and claim to offer a quick jolt of energy.

Many products are aimed at gym-goers, labelled as ‘pre-workout’ supplements that can improve stamina.  

Mr Mansfield was said to have ordered his powder from supplement company Blackburn Distributions.

The recommended serving of the powder is 60 to 300mg twice a day. 

But the inquest into Mr Mansfield’s death in 2022 heard his digital scale could only measure upwards from 2g —nearly seven times more than the maximum dose.

The hearing was told Mr Mansfield was ‘likely aiming for a mid range serving’ but instead drank up to 5g of the powder.

The recommended serving of the powder is 60 to 300mg twice a day. But the inquest into Mr Mansfield’s death in 2022 heard his digital scale could only measure upwards from 2g —nearly seven times more than the maximum dose

Within minutes of Mr Mansfield calling an ambulance, paramedics arrived and attempted to recalibrate his ‘abnormal’ heart rhythm using a defibrillator. 

 He was rushed to Ysbyty Glan Clwyd hospital after going into cardiac arrest but he was pronounced dead at 4pm on January 5 2021.

A post mortem found he had 392mg of caffeine per litre of blood, the equivalent of up to 200 cups of coffee. 

The inquest heard death can be caused by levels at 78mg per litre of blood or higher.

His medical cause of death was given as caffeine toxicity.

Senior coroner John Gittins recorded Mr Mansfield’s death as misadventure due to the unintended result in consuming the caffeine powder.

He added he had been ‘reassured’ that action had been taken by the brand to provide a measuring scoop and an A4 instruction sheet.

After his death, friends fundraised for the family including Mr Mansfield’s wife and children Tommy and Millie.

Writing on social media, wife Suzannah said she was ‘absolutely heartbroken’ by the tragedy.

She said: ‘He was my whole life I’ll never get over this. You were my life Tom.

‘I’m missing you so much and trying so hard for the kids keep it together, I love you more than I could love anyone, I’ll always love you.’

Self-employed Mr Mansfield ran fitness classes with his personal training business and used the motto: ‘With you every step of the way.’