The Government says it will ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s in England beginning in April next year, saying the move would protect children’s health and wellbeing.
Drinks containing more than 150 milligrams of caffeine per litre would be covered by the ban, which is subject to parliamentary approval and would apply to sales in shops, vending machines and online.
Lower-caffeine soft drinks – such as Coca‑Cola, Coke Zero, Diet Coke and Pepsi – are not affected but drinks including Red Bull, Monster, Relentless and Prime would all breach the limit.
Retailers will be responsible for ensuring the drinks are not sold to under-16s and businesses that fail to do so face fines of up to £2,500.
Ministers said around 100,000 children in England consume such drinks every day and cited evidence linking them to sleep disruption, anxiety and poor concentration.
