UK supermarkets ban sale of energy drinks to kids under 16

Energy drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre will not be sold to children under 16.

Amid rising concerns about high levels of sugar and caffeine in energy drinks, UK supermarkets announced a ban on their sale to children under 16. The move comes after campaigners reiterated MP Maria Caulfield's call for a UK-wide ban earlier this year. Henceforth, retailers will limit sale of energy drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre to children under 16.
Supermarkets such as Co-op, Aldi and Lidl implemented the change on March 1, while Morrisons, Waitrose, Asda and Boots put the rule in place on March 5. Speaking on the ban, Co-op said it recognised the 'growing concern about the consumption of energy drinks' among children while a Boots spokesperson said, "Helping our customers to live healthier lives has always been our core purpose. We have listened to the growing public concern about young people consuming these high sugar and highly-caffeinated drinks."
Joining the move, Tesco announced its decision to follow other supermarkets but it will only implement the change after March 26.
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who led the #NotForChildren campaign, welcomed the news and took to Twitter to celebrate the supermarkets that had 'done the right thing'. Moreover, the NASUWT teaching union also campaigned for restrictions on energy drinks sales to children, and called on schools to ban high-caffeinated beverages from their premises. NASUWT's general secretary, Chris Keates, told the BBC, "The high levels of caffeine and sugar impact adversely on pupil behaviour in schools and teachers are left to deal with the fallout. There is a chronic lack of awareness about the effects and long-term health impact of these drinks."