| Anesthesia society | Fasting requirements at time of induction | Comments |
| American Society of Anesthesiologists, 2017,2023[1,2] | - 2 hours clear liquids, excluding alcohol
- 4 hours breast milk
- 6 hours nonhuman milk, formula, light meal
- 8 hours or more for fatty meal, fried food, meat
- Chewing gum allowed up until induction
| - Healthy patients, not in labor, elective surgery
- Light meal defined as toast or cereal with clear liquid
- Healthy adults should drink carbohydrate containing clear liquids up to 2 hours prior to surgery
- Confirm removal of chewing gum prior to induction
|
| European Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care[3,4] | - Adults:
- 2 hours clear liquids
- 6 hours milk, solid food
- Chewing gum and sucking hard candy allowed up until induction
| - Encourage oral fluid up to 2 hours
|
- Children:
- 1 hour clear liquids
- 3 hours breast milk
- 4 hours formula or nonhuman milk, light breakfast (weak recommendations)
- 6 hours other solid food
| - Encourage oral fluid up until fasting time
|
| Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists[5] | - Adults:
- 2 hours clear liquids
- 6 hours limited solid food
| - Guidelines may not apply to patients who are at increased risk of perioperative regurgitation or vomiting
- Up to 400 mL of clear liquid up to 2 hours prior to induction for adults is likely safe
|
- Children >6 months of age:
- 1 hour clear liquids (≤3 mL/kg)
- 4 hours breast milk
- 6 hours formula and limited solid food
|
- Children <6 months of age:
- 1 hour clear liquids (≤3 mL/kg)
- 3 hours breast milk
- 4 hours formula
|
| Association of Anaesthetists in Great Britain and Ireland[6] | - 2 hours clear liquids
- 4 hours breast milk
- 6 hours solid food, formula and cow's milk
| - Gum chewing treated as clear
|
| Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society[7] | - 1 hour clear liquids for children
- 2 hours clear liquids for adults
- 4 hours breast milk
- 6 hours for solid food, infant formula, nonhuman milk, expressed breast milk fortified with additions
| - Encourage oral clear liquids up until fasting time
|
| Scandinavian Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine[8] | - 2 hours clear liquids
- 4 hours breast milk and infant formula
- 6 hours solid food and cows milk
- 2 hours chewing gum and any tobacco product
- Up to 1 hour prior to induction, 150 mL of water
| - 2 hours for preoperative carbohydrate drinks intended for preoperative nutrition
|
| German Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care[9] | - 2 hours clear liquids
- 4 hours breast milk and infant formula
- 6 hours meal
| |
| Pediatric societies |
| Joint statement from Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland, European Society for Paediatric Anaesthesiology, L'Association Des Anesthésistes-Réanimateurs Pédiatriques d'Expression Française[10] | - 1 hour clear liquids for children up to 16 years of age
| - Encourage intake of clear liquids
|
| Canadian Pediatric Anesthesia Society[11] | - 1 hour clear liquids for children
| - Encourage intake of clear liquids
|
| The Society for Paediatric Anaesthesia of New Zealand and Australia[5] | - 1 hour clear liquids for children
| - Encourage intake of clear liquids
|
