Government to ban high-caffeine energy drinks for under-16s

High-caffeine energy drinks are to be banned for under-16s to help improve children’s health, under new government proposals.

Around 100,000 children consume at least one high caffeine energy drink every day, according to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). This is around one third of children aged 13-16 years, and nearly a quarter aged 11-12 years old.

There is evidence linking these drinks to disrupted sleep, increased anxiety, poor concentration and reduced educational outcomes in children, it added.

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New proposals would make it illegal to sell high-caffeine energy drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre to those under 16 years.

A consultation on the delivery of this ban has now launched and will run for 12 weeks, closing on 26 November.

Health secretary Wes Streeting said: ‘How can we expect children to do well at school if they have the equivalent of a double espresso in their system on a daily basis?

‘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.

‘As part of our Plan for Change and shift from treatment to prevention, we’re acting on the concerns of parents and teachers and tackling the root causes of poor health and educational attainment head on.

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‘By preventing shops from selling these drinks to kids, we’re helping build the foundations for healthier and happier generations to come.’

Professor Amelia Lake, Professor of public health nutrition at Teesside University and deputy director of Fuse the Centre for Translational Research in Public Health added: ‘Our research has shown the significant mental and physical health consequences of children drinking energy drinks. We have reviewed evidence from around the world and have shown that these drinks have no place in the diets of children. 

‘Other countries have age-restricted sales of energy drinks, Norway has recently announced their restrictions starting in 2026. I welcome this consultation, it will be a step forward in prioritising the health and wellbeing of our young population.’

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It comes after the government has also launched a crackdown on unhealthy baby foods, in an effort to improve children’s health.

This article was first published by our sister title, Healthcare Leader.