The government proposals will make it illegal to sell high-caffeine energy drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre to anyone under 16 in England. The ban will apply across all retailers, including online, in shops, restaurants, cafes and vending machines.
The policy was first proposed in Labour’s 2024 general election manifesto, when Health Secretary Wes Streeting promised it would create “healthier and happier generations” in the future.
As many as 100,000 children consume at least one high caffeine energy drink every day.
The Government said there was growing evidence linking them to harmful effects on children, including disrupted sleep, increased anxiety, poor concentration and reduced educational outcomes.
Those that contained high amounts of sugar were also contributing to rising rates of obesity in youngsters.
Red Bull, Relentless and Lucozade Alert contain 320mg per litre, while Prime Energy has even more, with around 424mg of caffeine per litre.
Many major retailers already voluntarily restrict sales, but research suggests some smaller convenience stores continue selling to children.
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?
Teachers and unions have reported that pupils who consume high-caffeine drinks are unable to concentrate, and have lower academic performance.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “This Government inherited a scourge of poor classroom behaviour that undermines the learning of too many children – partly driven by the harmful effects of caffeine-loaded drinks – and today’s announcement is another step forward in addressing that legacy.”
This includes supervised tooth-brushing for three to five-year-olds and more funding for free breakfast clubs.
The ‘social currency of the playground’
Carrera, a Bite Back activist from Milton Keynes, said: “Energy drinks have become the social currency of the playground – cheap, brightly packaged, and easier to buy than water. They’re aggressively marketed to us, especially online, despite serious health risks.
Lauren Morley from Worthing, East Sussex, who works with young people and schools on nutrition and mental health, and is also the mother of a six-year-old, said: “In schools, I’ve witnessed panic attacks, anxiety and poor focus, often after students consume multiple cans instead of breakfast.”
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A Department for Education survey last year found that 82 per cent of parents were concerned about the potential negative effects of children consuming high-caffeine energy drinks. While 61 per cent of teachers agreed or strongly agreed that the consumption of these drinks negatively impacts the health and well-being of pupils at their school.
She told The i Paper: “Every week in my practice I see the impact that poor sleep, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating has on young people’s health and education. The evidence linking these drinks to those problems is compelling, and the scale of use among children is deeply concerning.
When Labour announced the policy in November 2024, Gavin Partington, the director general of the British Soft Drinks Association said: “In line with and in the spirit of our own longstanding Code of Practice, BSDA 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’, so we welcomed the move by retailers to voluntarily restrict sales to under 16s.”
The manufacturers of Red Bull, Prime and Monster were contacted for comment.
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