Labour’s energy drink ban will require ‘additional resources’ for trading standards

Energy drink ban will require additional resources for trading standards after it emerged that Labour party has announced its intention to ban the sale of high caffeine energy drinks to under 16s, if they were to form the next government.

Ahead of the launch of their full manifesto later this week, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said that the sale of high caffeine energy drinks to children was “not justifiable or acceptable’’

Under the proposals, any energy drink containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre would not be available to anyone under the age of 16. The policy is expected to be enforced by Trading Standards.

There are no current restrictions on energy drinks in UK law. However, all major UK manufacturers advise on their product labelling that these products are not suitable for children which they define as under 16s.

Figures from a UK wide survey of convenience store retailers in 2022 show that 80 per cent of stores who sell energy drinks have a voluntary policy in place to not sell to under-16s.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said today (11), “The majority of convenience retailers operate voluntary policies, often in consultation with local schools, to restrict access to energy drinks for children. We offer guidance to members on working with schools and local people to define the right policies for their community.

“If a national ban is introduced it needs to be clearly communicated to both retailers and customers and properly enforced, with additional resources being given to trading standards departments who are already overstretched dealing with their current commitments.”