UK Labour government to ban energy drink sales to teens

The UK Labour party has pledged to ban sales of “dangerously high” caffeinated energy drinks to under-16s should the party come into government next month.

Labour revealed the ban as part of a wider action plan for child health yesterday (10 June).

A party statement said energy drinks containing 150mg of caffeine per litre will be “banned from sale in retail outlets and online to under-16s”.

Labour added “it has become clear to health and education experts that the current caffeine labelling system is failing to prevent young children from purchasing these drinks”.

Soft drinks such as Coca-Cola are expected to fall below the limit with only 100mg of caffeine per litre.

Meanwhile, a 500ml can of Monster Energy would exceed the limit with 320mg of caffeine per litre, as would Prime energy drinks and Red Bull. However, the latter two products are typically sold in smaller 330ml can formats.

“The ban will be in line with current labelling and enforced through trading standards,” the statement added.

According to GlobalData, Just Drinks’ parent, the UK energy-drinks market is set to be worth circa $3.73bn in 2024 and is forecast to reach $4.9bn in 2028.

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