Overview
- The proposal would make it illegal to sell drinks over 150 mg of caffeine per litre to under-16s across shops, restaurants, vending machines and online.
- A 12-week consultation is underway, with ministers indicating the rules could take effect by spring.
- Government data show about 100,000 children consume at least one high-caffeine drink daily, and officials estimate up to 40,000 cases of childhood obesity could be prevented.
- Tea and coffee would be unaffected, while many popular energy drinks exceed the threshold, including typical 500 ml cans with about 160 mg of caffeine.
- The British Soft Drinks Association calls for regulation grounded in rigorous evidence, as several European countries already restrict sales and some U.S. states have set age limits.