Children under 16 in England will be prevented from buying high-caffeine energy drinks from April under new government rules, ministers have said. From that date, drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre will be illegal to sell to children and younger teenagers in shops, restaurants, cafés, vending machines and online. What the ban will coverThe restriction applies only to higher-caffeine drinks above the 150mg threshold. Lower-caffeine soft drinks, such as Diet Coke, would not be covered, and the rules would not extend to tea and coffee. Several widely sold energy drink brands would fall above the limit, the government said, including Red Bull, Monster, Relentless and Prime. Ministers said the legislation is intended to reduce consumption by children and younger teenagers, rather than placing additional controls on products for adults. Why ministers say the change is neededThe government said the measures are aimed at tackling obesity and reducing potential health harms linked to energy drinks, including disrupted sleep, increased anxiety and difficulties with concentration and school performance. Public Health Minister Sharon Hodgson said the ban showed the government’s commitment to improving children’s health. She said the proposal had originally been put forward last year. The government also cited concerns raised by experts about caffeine effects on young people, noting that children can be more sensitive because they have smaller bodies and because their brains are still developing. It said around 100,000 children in England consume energy drinks every day, and that the drinks can affect pupils’ ability to focus at school. It added that some popular products contain more caffeine than two cups of coffee or four cans of cola. The government also highlighted potential risks associated with excessive caffeine intake, including headaches and sleep problems, as well as reports of more serious effects such as a rapid heart rate, abnormal heart rhythms and seizures. It said deaths linked to excessive caffeine have been reported, although they are rare. Enforcement and consultationThe ban is subject to parliamentary approval and will be introduced through secondary legislation using powers from the Food Safety Act 1990. Local authorities will enforce the rules, and businesses that break the law could face fines of up to £2,500. The government said the decision followed a consultation that received 1,100 responses, with strong support for introducing an age limit. At present, drinks (other than tea or coffee) with more than 150mg of caffeine must carry a label warning that they are not recommended for children or for pregnant or breast-feeding women. Ministers also referenced advice for adults, saying that for most people up to 400mg of caffeine a day is considered safe, which they equated to about four cups of instant coffee or five cups of tea. Reactions and wider UK approachKatharine Jenner, executive director of the Obesity Health Alliance, welcomed the policy and said restricting sales to children at a “vital time” was common sense. The British Soft Drinks Association said the ban was unnecessary. A spokesperson said that since 2010 its members have agreed not to market or promote energy drinks to under-16s and that high-caffeine beverages carry a “not recommended for children” label. The government said a previous Conservative administration had planned a similar restriction but abandoned it in 2022, and that it had argued consumption should be a personal choice. Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are also considering bans. Join the discussion? 17 July 2026
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