The government on Tuesday said it will consult on banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under 16s due to negative impacts on children's physical and mental health.
The proposal would make it illegal to sell high-caffeine energy drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre to anyone aged under 16 years across all retailers, including online, in shops, restaurants, cafes and vending machines. The proposals would not affect lower-caffeine soft drinks nor tea and coffee.
The move is expected to prevent obesity in up to 40,000 children and deliver health benefits worth tens of millions of pounds.
Around 100,000 children consume at least one high caffeine energy drink every day. The government claimed that there is growing evidence linking these drinks to harmful effects on children, including disrupted sleep, increased anxiety, poor concentration and reduced educational outcomes.
“Energy drinks might seem harmless, but the sleep, concentration and wellbeing of today’s kids are all being impacted, while high sugar versions damage their teeth and contribute to obesity,” health and social care secretary Wes Streeting said.
“By preventing shops from selling these drinks to kids, we’re helping build the foundations for healthier and happier generations to come.”
Local shops welcome clarity
Local shops welcomed the new consultation.
“The majority of convenience stores already have a voluntary age restriction in place on energy drinks, and will welcome the clarity of regulation on this issue," Association of Convenience Stores chief executive James Lowman said.
"Our members have a longstanding track record of enforcing age restricted sales on different products, but it is essential that the Government effectively communicates the details of the ban to consumers to avoid the risk of confrontation in stores.”
ACS polling of independent retailers in 2022 showed that 80 per cent already had a voluntary policy in place to restrict the sale of energy drinks to young people. High caffeine soft drinks are currently labelled as ‘not recommended for children’, but to date there is no legal restriction in place on these products.
The consultation launched today on delivery of the ban will run for twelve weeks gathering evidence from health experts, education leaders, retailers, manufacturers, local enforcement authorities and the public.
Andrea Martinez-Inchausti, assistant director of food at the British Retail Consortium, said: “BRC members banned the sale of certain energy drinks to under 16s many years ago, so we welcome this announcement as it will ensure a level playing field across all businesses who sell energy drinks. But most importantly, it will protect young consumers.”