Ban on the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s in England from April 2027
Children’s health will be better protected from the harms linked to high-caffeine energy drinks.
It’s estimated around 100,000 children in England drink energy drinks high in caffeine every day and evidence suggests this can negatively impact their physical and mental health, as well as their education.
Children living in more deprived areas and households are more likely to consume these drinks, increasing health risks and impairing their learning.
Retailers themselves will be responsible for ensuring these drinks are not sold to under-16s while local authorities will enforce the ban. Businesses that break the law face fines of up to £2,500.
The legislation aims to improve kids’ health, combat childhood obesity and help support parents to raise the healthiest generation of children ever.
The government will take forward secondary legislation using powers contained in the Food Safety Act 1990, with the ban intended to come into force in April 2027, subject to Parliamentary approval.
