England will ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16 from April, blocking purchases in shops, restaurants, cafes, vending machines and online. The energy drinks ban covers drinks with more than 150mg of caffeine per litre and comes before parliamentary approval.
Public Health Minister Sharon Hodgson said the measure “demonstrates our firm commitment to creating the healthiest generation of children ever”. Around 100,000 children in England consume energy drinks every day, and the new rules target products that can contain more caffeine than more than two cups of coffee or four cans of cola.
Sharon Hodgson and the 150mg limit
The cutoff is set at more than 150mg of caffeine per litre. Drinks above that level will be illegal to sell to under-16s, while lower-caffeine soft drinks such as Diet Coke are not affected, and neither are tea or coffee.
That threshold captures drinks including Red Bull, Monster, Relentless and Prime. The government announced the ban after 1,100 consultation responses strongly supported an age restriction, and it will use secondary legislation under the Food Safety Act 1990.
Food Safety Act 1990 enforcement
Local authorities will enforce the ban, and businesses that break the law could face fines of up to £2,500. The same rule will apply across physical and online sales, so sellers will need a consistent age-check process wherever the purchase happens.
The ban sits against wider concerns about caffeine intake. Too much caffeine can cause a rapid heart rate, abnormal heart rhythms and seizures, and excessive consumption has been linked to headaches and sleep problems. The sugary versions can also contribute to obesity and damage teeth, according to The Association of UK Dieticians.
England online sales
For adults, up to 400mg of caffeine a day is described as safe, about four cups of instant coffee or five cups of tea. The new rule changes the position for children under 16, who will no longer be able to buy drinks above the legal caffeine limit in any of the covered sales channels once the parliamentary process is complete.
