England will implement a ban on the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to individuals under 16 years old, effective from April. This measure follows a public consultation where a significant majority supported age restrictions on these beverages.
The new rules will be enacted through secondary legislation, utilizing powers granted by the Food Safety Act 1990. The decision to ban is driven by concerns over the potential health impacts of excessive caffeine consumption in young people, which can include rapid heart rate, abnormal heart rhythms, and seizures. In rare instances, excess caffeine has been linked to fatalities.
Health professionals also point to the contribution of sugary energy drinks to obesity and dental issues. Currently, drinks containing over 150mg of caffeine per liter, excluding tea and coffee, must carry a label warning that they are not recommended for children or pregnant women.
Katharine Jenner, Executive Director of the Obesity Health Alliance, supported the ban, stating that restricting sales to children during a critical developmental period is a sensible approach. However, the British Soft Drinks Association described the ban as "unnecessary," noting that its members have voluntarily committed since 2010 not to market energy drinks to under-16s and that high-caffeine beverages already carry warning labels.
The previous Conservative government had considered a similar ban but abandoned the plan in 2022, opting instead for a stance that consumption should be a personal choice. Regions including Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales are also reportedly considering similar measures to restrict the sale of these drinks to minors. Soft drinks with lower caffeine content will not be affected by the new regulations.