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England Bans High-Caffeine Energy Drinks for Under-16s Starting April

England will prohibit the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16 beginning in April 2025.

Asude Karataş • 17 Temmuz 2026 02:30 • 3 dk okuma • 12 görüntülenme

England will ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16 from April 2025, targeting beverages containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre. The government estimates approximately 100,000 young people in the country consume these drinks daily, and research indicates excessive caffeine intake disrupts sleep, increases anxiety, and impairs school performance.

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What the Ban Covers
Health Rationale and Enforcement

What the Ban Covers

The legislation applies to drinks with caffeine content exceeding 150mg per litre, excluding tea and coffee. Popular brands including Red Bull, Monster, Relentless, and Prime will all fall under the restriction. Lower-caffeine soft drinks such as Diet Coke remain unaffected. Sales restrictions will apply across shops, restaurants, cafes, vending machines, and online retailers.

The threshold of 150mg per litre is significant because many energy drinks currently on the market contain caffeine equivalent to four cups of coffee or more in a single serving. Medical professionals have raised concerns that young people metabolise caffeine differently than adults due to their smaller body mass and ongoing brain development. Currently, any drink exceeding this caffeine limit requires a warning label indicating it is not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women.

Health Rationale and Enforcement

Public Health Minister Sharon Hodgson stated the ban demonstrates the government's commitment to preventing caffeine-related health complications in young people. Excessive caffeine consumption has been linked to rapid heart rate, abnormal heart rhythms, sleep deprivation, headaches, and in rare cases, seizures. The sugary variants of these drinks also contribute to childhood obesity and dental damage. A consultation process involving 1,100 responses showed strong public support for age-based restrictions.

Local authorities will enforce the ban, with retailers responsible for preventing sales to minors. Businesses violating the law face fines of up to £2,500. The legislation will be implemented through secondary legislation using powers granted under the Food Safety Act 1990, and the measure requires parliamentary approval before taking effect.

Which energy drink brands are affected by the ban?+

Red Bull, Monster, Relentless, and Prime are among the major brands that will be prohibited from sale to under-16s. Any drink containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre falls under the restriction, while lower-caffeine soft drinks like Diet Coke remain permitted.

When does the ban take effect?+

The ban is scheduled to begin in April 2025, subject to parliamentary approval. It will apply to all retail locations including shops, vending machines, online platforms, and food establishments.

Why does the government consider this ban necessary?+

Research indicates that approximately 100,000 young people in England consume high-caffeine energy drinks daily. Excessive caffeine intake has been shown to disrupt sleep patterns, increase anxiety, reduce concentration, and negatively impact school performance. Young people are more sensitive to caffeine due to smaller body size and still-developing brains.

What penalties apply to retailers who violate the ban?+

Businesses that sell high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s face fines of up to £2,500. Local authorities will be responsible for enforcement and monitoring compliance across their jurisdictions.

Are all caffeine-containing beverages affected?+

No. Tea and coffee are exempt from the ban regardless of caffeine content. The restriction applies only to other drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre. For comparison, the safe limit for adults is approximately 400mg of caffeine daily, equivalent to four cups of instant coffee or five cups of tea.

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