Major UK supermarkets and convenience stores are set to introduce a major strict rule change in stores in line with a new law.
The UK Government is planning to introduce a new law in England that will prevent anyone under the age of 16 from buying energy drinks, like Monster, Red Bull and Prime, across all retailers, including in shops, restaurants, cafes, vending machines and online. Major supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Morrisons and Asda have already stopped sales of the drinks to under 16s, but according to the Department of Health, research suggests some smaller convenience stores are still selling them to children.
Ministers said a ban on the sale of these high-caffeine drinks could help to prevent obesity in up to 40,000 children and will help tackle problems like disrupted sleep, increased anxiety and lack of concentration, as well as poorer school results.
Recent data from a 2022 survey of children aged 11 to 15 years in England found that 4% of children consumed one or more high-caffeine energy drinks per day, which amounts to an estimated 100,000 children consuming these daily.
Under the plans, it will be illegal for all shops to sell energy drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre to anyone under the age of 16.
The rules would mean high-caffeine energy drinks including Monster, Red Bull, Prime and Monster would all breach this limit, but soft drinks like Coca-Cola, Coca‑Cola Zero, Diet Coke and Pepsi which are lower in caffeine wouldn’t be affected, nor would tea or coffee.
Health and Social Care 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.
“By preventing shops from selling these drinks to kids, we’re helping build the foundations for healthier and happier generations to come.”
A consultation is now running for 12 weeks to gather evidence from experts in health and education, retailers, manufacturers, local enforcement leaders and the public. No official date has yet been set for the ban, but Mr Streeting said it will come in “a lot sooner” than the end of this Parliament.
Drinks that contain more than 150mg of caffeine per litre must already carry warning labels stating they are not recommended for children.
Gavin Partington, director general of the British Soft Drinks Association, said firms do not market or promote the drinks to under-16s.
He said: “Our members have led the way in self-regulation through our long-standing energy drinks code of practice. Our members do not market or promote the sale of energy drinks to under-16s and label all high-caffeine beverages as ‘not recommended for children’, in line with and in the spirit of this code.
“As with all government policy, it’s essential that any forthcoming regulation is based on a rigorous assessment of the evidence that’s available.”