England to ban sale of energy drinks to under-16s from April 2027

What exactly applies from April 2027?

The law applies to drinks containing more than 150 milligrams of caffeine per litre, as the British government announced. This means that less heavily caffeinated soft drinks such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi are exempt from the regulation, according to the PA news agency.

Classic hot drinks such as tea and coffee are also exempt from the ban. The new regulation exclusively affects drinks that exceed the defined caffeine limit.

Health risks for children

As justification for the ban, the government points to various health risks. According to Hodgson, these include possible effects on sleep, concentration and anxiety levels in children and young people. In addition, caffeinated drinks could have a negative impact on schooling.

In the UK, the debate over minors' access to energy drinks is not new. For years, doctors and health organisations have been calling for stricter regulations to limit consumption among young people and reduce health consequences.

Reaction from the beverage industry

The planned ban drew criticism from the beverage industry. An industry association pointed out that its members had voluntarily committed since 2010 not to market energy drinks to under-16s and not to actively promote sales to this age group.

The sales ban in England is part of a broader political agenda. The British government is pursuing the goal of curbing overall consumption of sugary and caffeinated products among children and young people and promoting healthier alternatives.

With the announced entry into force in April 2027, retailers and manufacturers will have around nine months to adapt their distribution structures, age verification procedures and packaging designs to the new requirements. The government announced that violations of the ban will in future be punished with appropriate sanctions.