Labour has pledged to ban sales of energy drinks to children under the age of 16, with retailers at risk of losing their licence or receiving a fine if caught selling to children.
The ban has been proposed by Labour due to the “dangerously high” caffeine content of the drinks.
If Labour win the General Election on 4 July, the ban will be enforced by trading standards, and will prevent children from under 16 purchasing drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre.
Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting announced the ban on Monday, stating: “Rishi Sunak is too weak to stand up to his party and protect children’s health. He crumbled in the face of opposition from his MPs and sacrificed his landmark smoking Bill.”
Soft drinks such as Coca-Cola are expected to fall below the limit, while a 500ml can of Monster Energy would exceed it.
General Election causes uncertainty on legislation impacting stores
Streeting added that Labour would be “far more interventionist” when it comes to children to protect their health.
“The Tories have stood idly by as children go to school wired on the equivalent of three shots of espresso from these toxic drinks,” he continued. “It stops them sleeping, damages their mental health, how on earth do we expect children to learn with that in their system?
“It’s time for change. Labour will end the sale of dangerously high caffeine energy drinks, provide 100,000 extra child dentistry appointments and mental health support in every school.”
Labour leader Keir Starmer said the sale of highly caffeinated drinks to children was “not justifiable or acceptable”, adding: “We’ll stop it. I will always take the tough decisions necessary to keep our children healthy.”
It is not the first time a ban has been proposed. In 2019, former Conservative health secretary Matt Hancock proposed the ban, but it was subsequently scrapped by his successor Sajid Javid.
Read more politics news and articles for retailers
Comments
This article doesn't have any comments yet, be the first!