Energy drinks
Ban on high caffeine energy drinks sales to children
07 September 2025
Sustain's Children's Food Campaign welcomes the government's plans to ban the sales of high caffeine energy drinks to under-16s as a logical step for drinks that already carry warning labels saying 'not suitable for children'.
The government has opened a 12-week public consultation on plans to ban sales of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s, citing concerns about their effects on both children's physical and mental health, as well as disruption to learning.
The Children's Food Campaign, which has campaigned on this issue for many years, welcomes the proposed ban as something that is both strongly evidence based and has high levels of public support, including parents, teachers and health professionals.
The most recent evidence review published in 2024 exposed multiple negative effects associated with high consumption of caffeinated energy drinks by young people, including depression and anxiety, tiredness, sleep disruption and reduced ability to learn effectively and concentrate in class.
Children's Food Campaign Manager Barbara Crowther says:
“High caffeine energy drinks already carry warning labels saying ‘not suitable for children’, so it’s absolutely right for the government to limit them from being sold to children too.
“They are branded and marketed to appeal to young people through sports and influencers and far too easily purchased by children in shops, cafes and vending machines. Parents, teachers and health professionals have all called for this policy, so let’s get involved with the consultation and support children’s health.”
A ban on sales of energy drinks to under-16s was one of five key priorities in Sustain’s Parents' Manifesto for Healthy Children's Food, supported by 80% parents in national polling, with support especially high amongst parents of 8–15-year-olds. This reflects the Department for Education's parent survey which showed 82% of parents are concerned about the effects of high caffeine energy drinks on children. Sustain’s parent ambassadors have also shared their first-hand experience of the effects of these drinks for their own children, as well as others they work with.
Children's Food parent ambassador Lauren Morley, who also works a mental health advocate and healthy food educator says:
As a parent of a 6-year-old and an educator with 13 years’ experience, I’ve seen the harm these drinks cause. In schools, I’ve witnessed panic attacks, anxiety and poor focus, often after students consume multiple cans instead of breakfast.
“My concern grows as my child gets older. When young people stop drinking them, we see their wellbeing, concentration, and mood noticeably improve. I welcome the Department of Health and Social Care’s consultation on restricting high caffeine energy drink sales to children.”
Children's Food parent ambassador Dr Rounaq Nayak, who has two children says:
“As a parent, I welcome the government’s announcement on restricting high caffeine energy drink sales to children. I’ve seen how marketing and peer influence make these drinks seem appealing – from my youngest wanting to copy older kids to my eldest believing they make you ‘faster’ at sport. Clear regulation, alongside education in schools and for parents, is essential to protect children’s health and ensure companies are held accountable for how these products are promoted.”
An estimated 100,000 children consume at least one high caffeine energy drink every day, whilst one in three young people aged 13-16 and one in four 11–12-year-olds consume one or more weekly. The plans set out by the government are estimated to help prevent up to 40,000 cases of obesity in children, as part of a wider mission to create the healthiest generation of children ever.
Carrera, a young 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.
“We feel pressured to drink them, especially during exam season, when stress is high and healthier options are hard to find. This ban is a step in the right direction — but bold action on marketing and access must follow.”
The plans out for consultation would make it illegal to sell energy drinks containing more than 150mg caffeine per litre to under-16s in any shop, cafe, restaurant or vending machine. Many products currently popular with young people including Prime Energy, Monster, Red Bull, Rockstar and Carabao typically contain more than twice this level of caffeine.
At present, some large supermarkets have put voluntary age checks in place, but young people can still purchase the drinks through a wide range of other outlets. The measures, which are supported by the British Retail Consortium, would send a clear, consistent signal that these drinks should not be sold to children anywhere, creating a level playing field across the whole food sector.
Similar measures to restrict high caffeine energy drinks to children have already been passed in Norway, Estonia, Poland, Latvia and Lithuania.
Launching the consultation, Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting MP, said:
"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.”
The ban on energy drinks sales to children will also support teachers and schools who report on pupils being unable to concentrate and focus, as well as disruptive behaviour and sleep issues associated with their consumption. Research by the Department of Education revealed that 61% believe energy drink consumption is having a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of pupils in their school.
Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:
“We welcome this consultation. There is clear evidence that high-caffeine energy drinks are not only a health risk to children but that these products also affect behaviour and concentration.
“They are banned in many schools but their wider availability means they can be consumed outside of school time with a knock-on effect in class. Restricting the sale of these drinks could be a relatively simple way of supporting learning and wellbeing.”
Follow the link to the consultation which will run for 12 weeks from 3 September to 26 November, gathering feedback and further evidence from the public, health and education experts, retailers and manufacturers as well as local authorities who will be given responsibility for ensuring enforcement as part of local trading standards processes.
Image courtesy of Piqsels.
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