The latest news, trends, analysis, interviews and podcasts from the global food and beverage industry

The UK government has announced a decisive policy shift aimed at protecting the health of children by banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to those under the age of 16.

This call, part of a broader strategy to promote healthier lifestyles among youth, responds to mounting public concern regarding the adverse effects of these beverages on children's health and wellbeing.

The proposed legislation, outlined by Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting, will restrict the sale of popular energy drinks such as Red Bull, Monster and Prime in retail outlets, restaurants, cafes, vending machines and online.

This ban is in line with commitments made during the King’s Speech 2024 and reflects the government's ambition to raise the healthiest generation of children in the UK.

Research indicates that up to one-third of UK children consume high-caffeine energy drinks weekly, with some products containing caffeine levels comparable to multiple cups of coffee.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has expressed concern over the potential health implications, which include increased risks of headaches, sleep disturbances, anxiety and even more severe outcomes such as seizures in extreme cases.

Additionally, sugary variants of these drinks contribute to obesity and dental issues, further exacerbating public health challenges and putting extra strain on services like the NHS.

A systematic review of over 1.2 million young people across 21 countries has reinforced these concerns, linking energy drink consumption to negative health outcomes and reduced academic performance.

On BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Streeting highlighted the need for legislative action: “We have listened to health organisations, experts and public leaders calling for urgent action on high-caffeine energy drinks to protect children’s health”.

The government is launching a 12-week consultation to gather feedback from various stakeholders, including public health experts, parents, educators and the F&B industry.

This consultation aims to refine the details of the ban, including enforcement mechanisms and the specific products that will be affected.

Retailers and manufacturers will need to adapt swiftly to the new regulations, which will apply uniformly across all sales channels, including online platforms and vending machines.

The proposed enforcement measures will allow local authorities to issue fines for non-compliance, with penalties varying based on the size of the business.

For instance, individual and small businesses may face fines of £1,500, while larger corporations could incur penalties of £2,500 for selling to underage customers.

According to the BBC, the British Soft Drinks Association has urged that any forthcoming regulations be based on robust evidence, noting that many manufacturers have already taken steps to self-regulate.

However, the proposed ban is expected to significantly impact the energy drink market, which has seen rising popularity among youth, particularly in deprived areas where access to these products is more pronounced.