England plans to ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16 from April 2027, in order to reduce the potential impact of such drinks on children's physical and mental health as well as their academic performance. The relevant measures will still need to be reviewed by Parliament.
The UK government announced that this ban will apply to drinks containing more than 150 milligrams of caffeine per liter, with tea and coffee excluded. It will cover all retail forms, including stores, vending machines, and online retailers. Businesses in violation may face fines of up to £2,500 (about 13,747 ringgit).
According to estimates cited by the UK government, around 100,000 children in England consume high-caffeine energy drinks every day. Research shows that children's consumption of such drinks is associated with a variety of health problems and decreased academic performance. These health issues include increased frequency of headaches and stomachaches, reduced sleep duration and quality, as well as higher risks of emotional problems such as anxiety and depression. However, current evidence does not confirm a direct causal relationship.
The UK government previously conducted a 12-week public consultation on the sales ban. Some major retailers in the UK have already voluntarily stopped selling these drinks to children under 16, but the government believes that enforcement varies regionally and that it is necessary to establish a uniform standard through legislation.