MLB addresses claim linking Celsius to cocaine false positives on drug tests

A viral claim about Celsius energy drinks has caught fire online. It suggests that the beverage could trigger a false positive for cocaine on drug tests, but Major League Baseball says there’s no science to back that up.

The rumor that sparked the fire

It all began when sports journalist Emily Waldon, who covers the Detroit Tigers’ High-A affiliate, posted on X that MLB discourages players from drinking Celsius.

In her now-deleted post, Waldon wrote:

“Was told MLB provides a list of drinks that have been tested to not flag during drug testing. Most popular among the West Michigan [Whitecaps] players on the acceptable drinks list: C4 and Red Bull.”

It was her follow-up post that sparked the controversy.

“Celsius has an ingredient known to flag as cocaine in MLB drug testing and although it’s not officially banned, it’s ‘strongly discouraged,’ I’m told.”

Waldon later clarified that this information was sourced from conversations among players in the dugout, not from official MLB communication.

What MLB actually says

In response to the viral claim, MLB clarified to Waldon that it only recommends energy drinks that are NSF Certified for Sport. That list currently includes C4 and Red Bull, but not Celsius.

However, MLB and the MLB Players Association told Front Office Sports that they are “not aware of any specific ingredient in Celsius that would cause a positive test result.”

A spokesperson for Celsius also told the outlet that their drink is “completely safe and is enjoyed by professional athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and college students as part of their fit lifestyles.” 

Still, both entities urge players to stick with NSF-certified drinks to avoid potential risks or confusion.

NCAA bans ingredient found in Celsius

While MLB does not ban Celsius, the NCAA takes a stricter stance on certain ingredients.

The NCAA bans guarana, a plant naturally rich in caffeine that’s found in several energy drinks, including Monster and Celsius. The substance is listed on its banned substances page due to its stimulant properties.

While the NCAA doesn’t outright ban Celsius, a limit is placed on how much caffeine can legally be found in a student’s drug test.

Athletes and caffeine: a long-standing concern

While the specific claim about Celsius and cocaine is unsubstantiated, concerns about energy drinks in sports are not new.

A 2021 article by USA Cycling listed four risky substances for competitive athletes, including caffeine and other stimulants commonly found in energy drinks. The article warned of both doping risks and health effects.

In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics states that there is no safe level of caffeine for children and adolescents.

Real health risks from energy drinks

In 2014, high school football player Dakota Sailor died after drinking two energy drinks before practice. He suffered seizures that ultimately led to his death.

A 2017 Pediatric Emergency Care study found that 40% of teens aged 13–19 who consumed energy drinks experienced at least one adverse effect. These included seizures (1%), heart palpitations (16%), and other symptoms.