UK Bans Energy Drinks for U16s
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Sales of energy drinks to children under the age of 16 has been banned in most major UK supermarkets, after concerns about high levels of sugar and caffeine.
Asda, Waitrose, Tesco, the Co-op and Sainsbury’s have all introduced the rule. Retailers will limit the sale of energy drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre to under 16s. The Co-op said that it recognised the ‘growing concern about the consumption of energy drinks’ among children.
Boots is also taking on the rule, the first none supermarket to do so. The ban was put in place at the beginning of the month. Tesco will not implement the change until 26th March, however.
We did a story about energy drinks about a year or so ago after someone had stroke-like symptoms after they drank too many 50p energy juice drinks.
This move follows calls for a UK wide ban on the drinks, with MP Maria Caulfield asking Theresa May to consider a ban earlier this year.
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver welcomed the change, taking to Twitter, listing off the supermarkets who had ‘done the right thing’.
✅ @waitrose
✅ @AldiUK
✅ @asda
✅ @sainsburys
✅ @Morrisons
✅ @Tesco
✅ @LidlUK
Now ✅ @BootsUK
Have done the right thing! stopping the sale of energy drinks to children. #notforchildren— Jamie Oliver (@jamieoliver) March 4, 2018
Definitely a good choice by supermarkets. Energy drinks contain an unhealthy amount of sugar and caffeine. Not exactly something one needs when under 16.