Energy drink ban for under-16s moves up the political agenda

Public health research has found that energy drink consumption is associated with an increased risk of mental health issues among children and young people 

The Labour party is considering a ban on the sale of energy drinks to children if it gains power in a general election this year. The proposal has been widely reported as being put forward for inclusion in the party’s manifesto.

It follows a government-commissioned study published in January that found at least one in three children in the UK consumes at least one energy drink a week. The study resulted in a joint-open letter signed by more than 40 health organisations, academics and public health directors that called on both government and shadow health ministers to act.

The research was conducted by Fuse, a partnership of public health researchers from five universities in North East England. It found that energy drinks are associated with an increased risk of mental health issues among children and young people, including anxiety, stress, depression and suicidal thoughts. 

One of the points made in the open letter is that “deprivation and socio-economic disparity are key indicators for energy drinks consumption and other unhealthy eating behaviours by children and young people, and this is likely to be widening the stark inequalities in health our most vulnerable communities are experiencing.”

Beth Bradshaw, Project Manager at Food Active, a healthy weight programme commissioned by local authority public health teams, NHS organisations, and Public Health England teams said: “It is promising to see the Labour Party is considering a pledge to restrict sales of these drinks to under-16s.

“Even their packaging states that these drinks are simply not suitable for children. We want to see firm commitment from all political parties ahead of the forthcoming general election. The time to act is now.”

Amelia Lake, a Public Health Professor at Teesside University and Associate Director of Fuse said: “Our research shows that an international body of evidence associates energy drinks with harmful physical and mental health issues – as well as having an impact on educational attainment. We need to see clear messaging that these drinks are not suitable for children and young people. An outright ban of their sales to under-16s makes it clear.”

"Energy drinks companies shouldn't be allowed to increase profits at the expense of child health.”

Barbara Crowther, Children's Food Campaign Manager at food and farming alliance, Sustain added: "Energy drinks companies shouldn't be allowed to increase profits at the expense of child health.”

Professor Tom Sanders, Head of the Nutritional Sciences Research Division at Kings College London, outlined the amount of caffeine in the drinks. He said: “A 500ml can of Monster, for example, would supply 160mg caffeine. A double expresso at Starbucks would provide 150mg; a cup of tea about 50mg.

“There are already limits on the caffeine content on soft drinks and it would depend on how much is consumed. Given the scale of other problems that teenagers have, eg smoking, vaping, alcohol and drug use, I don’t think it needs a draconian approach.”

He was opposed to further legislation as the current EC Regulation (1169/2011) limits the amount of caffeine that can be added to soft drinks. However, he felt that energy drinks containing higher caffeine levels than coffee should not be marketed at primary-school age children due to their lighter body weight.

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