The Labour government has announced a ban on the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s in England, set to take effect from April 2027. The move comes as data shows 100,000 children across the country consume these beverages daily.
Scope of the Ban
The ban will apply to all supermarkets, shops, vending machines, and online retailers. Public Health Minister Sharon Hodgson stated: "High-caffeine energy drinks have no place in children's hands. We know thousands of kids in England consume them daily, but the evidence is clear that this can cause anxiety, affect their sleep and concentration, and can have a detrimental impact on their education."
Enforcement and Penalties
Retailers will be responsible for ensuring they do not sell these drinks to under-16s. Local authorities will enforce the ban, and businesses that break the law face fines of up to £2,500.
Support from Health Groups
Katharine Jenner, executive director of the Obesity Health Alliance, said: "This is a hugely popular policy, backed by parents, health professionals and the public, and a vital step towards protecting children's health. Strong evidence links high-caffeine energy drinks to anxiety, poor sleep, reduced concentration, and harm to learning and wellbeing – restricting sales to children at a vital time in their life is just common sense."
Barbara Crowther, Children's Food Campaign Manager at Sustain, added: "The decision to ban sales of high caffeine energy drinks to children is absolutely right, given strong evidence of their harmful effects on their physical, mental and dental health, and overwhelming public support including parents, young people, health professionals, teachers and food retailers. We look forward to seeing legislation laid before Parliament at the earliest opportunity, to meet the April 2027 deadline. It's now two years since the Labour government pledged this action – almost 300 million more high caffeine energy drinks have been sold to children in that time. The decision is made, no more kicking the can down the road – let's make this law now."
Impact on Children's Health
The government emphasized that high-caffeine energy drinks "have no place in children's hands" and that the ban is part of a commitment to create "the healthiest generation of children ever."
