A British government agency is advising pregnant women not to drink more than four cups of instant coffee a day. The Food Standards Agency says exceeding that limit may result in miscarriage.

The health department has previously recommended moderate consumption. Like many health agencies around the world, including Canada, pregnant women are told to keep their caffeine intake to a minimum.

This is the first time a government body has put a precise number on the amount of coffee considered healthy for consumption.

An FSA committee studied the effects of caffeine on pregnancy. It found ingesting more than 300 mg of caffeine, or four average-sized cups of instant coffee, could be linked to low birthweight or miscarriage.

Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, chocolate and some soft drinks.

According to the FSA, a 300 mg daily limit of caffeine equals:

• three average cups of brewed coffee
• six regular cups of tea
• eight cans of cola
• 400 grams of chocolate

"This doesn't mean cutting out coffee completely," says Suzi Leather, deputy chair of the FSA. "It is about taking sensible precaution."

FSA officials say pregnant women should always seek advice from their doctor or other health professionals concerning their nutritional needs.

The FSA study backs up a Swedish one done by the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm published last December in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Researchers surveyed 562 Swedish women who had miscarriages. They found those who drank two to three cups of coffee daily increased their risk of suffering a miscarriage by 30 to 40 per cent.

The Coffee Science Information Centre has said coffee is a safe product for pregnant women if taken in moderation.

It has claimed that "it is safe for women to consume 240—300mg of caffeine if pregnant or breast feeding."