Major UK supermarkets and Boots have banned the sale of energy drinks to children under 16, citing concerns over high sugar and caffeine levels. The voluntary ban applies to drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre.
Retailers including Asda, Waitrose, Tesco, Co-op, Aldi, Lidl, Sainsbury's, and Morrisons have implemented the rule, with Boots being the first non-supermarket to join. Co-op, Aldi, and Lidl started on 1 March, while Morrisons, Waitrose, Asda, and Boots followed on 5 March. Tesco will enforce the ban from 26 March.
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.'
The move follows campaigns by MP Maria Caulfield and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who welcomed the news on Twitter. The NASUWT teaching union also backed restrictions, with general secretary Chris Keates noting that high caffeine and sugar levels adversely affect pupil behaviour in schools.
