From April 2027, children under 16 will be prohibited from purchasing high-caffeine energy drinks in England, affecting major retailers such as Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Asda, Aldi, and Lidl. The Labour Party government announced the ban, which targets drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre. This includes popular brands like Red Bull, Monster, Relentless, and Prime, but excludes lower-caffeine soft drinks such as Diet Coke, as well as tea and coffee.
Details of the Ban
The ban applies to sales in shops, restaurants, cafes, vending machines, and online. Retailers are responsible for ensuring compliance, and local authorities will enforce the law. Businesses that violate the ban face fines of up to £2,500. The government will introduce secondary legislation under the Food Safety Act 1990, subject to parliamentary approval.
Support and Criticism
Katharine Jenner, Executive Director of the Obesity Health Alliance, praised the policy: "Restricting the sales of these drinks to children at a vital time in their life is just common-sense." However, the British Soft Drinks Association called the ban "unnecessary," noting that since 2010, members have voluntarily committed not to market or promote energy drinks to under-16s, and that high-caffeine beverages already carry a 'not recommended for children' label.
Government Perspective
Labour Party Education Minister Olivia Bailey said: "This ban will protect children from high-caffeine energy drinks that undermine their health and focus in the classroom, so they can make the most of all the exciting opportunities ahead of them. It will go hand in hand with our overhaul of school food for the first time in over a decade, to ensure children across the country have delicious, nutritious food that helps them thrive."
Implementation Timeline
The ban is intended to come into force in April 2027, with the government taking forward secondary legislation using powers contained in the Food Safety Act 1990. This timeline provides retailers and enforcement bodies with adequate preparation time.
