Ban energy drinks for under-16s, report says

A report published by the Food Research Collaboration at City University London has called on the government to ban the sale of energy drinks to children under the age of 16.

The study comes after research has linked the caffeinated drinks to a range of health complaints and risky behaviours, including binge drinking and drug use. Official data has also shown that sales of energy drinks in the UK has increased by 155 per cent between 2006 and 2014.

The report warned that the consumption of energy drinks among children is growing with 10-14 year-olds expected to increase intake by 11 per cent over the next five years to 2019. A survey of 16 European countries including the UK identified that 68 per cent of 11-18-year-olds and 18 per cent of children aged under 10 consumed energy drinks.

The study highlighted that more research was needed to examine how high levels of sugar and caffeine in energy drinks interacted with each other, with particular focus on stimulants such as taurine and guarana. On average a single can of caffeinated drink contains around 160mg of caffeine, despite the European Food Safety Authority advising an intake of more than 105mg of caffeine per day.

Dr Visram, lecturer in public policy and health at Durham University and co-author of the report, said: “Youth energy drink consumption is a growing public health concern due to the high caffeine and sugar contents of these drinks.

“More research is needed to understand the short and long-term effects in terms of health, well-being and educational outcomes. However, the available evidence indicates that these drinks are associated with a range of health complaints and risky behaviours in school-age children.

“Action is needed by local and national government to restrict the sale and marketing of these drinks to young people.”

Gavin Partington, director general of the British Soft Drinks Association, said: “The latest review by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in 2015 confirms that energy drinks are safe and make up a very small part of the caffeine intake of adolescents and a negligible amount among children. 


“With a 250ml can of energy drink typically containing about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee, there is no scientific justification to treat energy drinks differently than the main contributors to daily caffeine intake in all age groups – including tea, coffee and chocolate. 


“Energy drinks producers provide caffeine content on all labelling and market their products responsibly by recommending consumption in moderation and not promoting these drinks to children.” 


A government spokeswoman commented: “Most energy drinks will be caught by the soft drinks industry levy. 


“The money then raised by the levy will go towards tackling obesity by investing in school sports, breakfast clubs and after school activities for secondary schools.”