Cut out a cup of coffee for baby's sake, experts say

Pregnant women are being advised to cut their coffee intake to protect the health of their babies.

More than two mugs of coffee a day could harm the unborn baby, researchers have found.

The NZ Food Safety Authority has joined its British counterpart in cutting the recommended maximum daily caffeine intake to 200mg from 300mg - from three cups a day to two.

A study published this month in the British Medical Journal linked caffeine consumption during pregnancy and increased risk of restricted fetal growth.

The British Food Standards Agency added risk of miscarriage to the list.

Other drinks are also on the agency's hit-list.

It says energy drinks and "smart drinks" can contain caffeine and other ingredients not recommended for pregnant and breast-feeding women.

And it warns women to be "cautious" about herbal teas.

The British study's authors said any caffeine consumed by pregnant women increased the risk of fetal growth restriction.

They rank caffeine with alcohol in its potential to harm unborn children.