Tesco, Sainsburys, Morrisons, Asda, Aldi and Lidl hit with major new rule change | UK | News
Major supermarkets and grocers in the UK are preparing to implement a major and strict rule change in stores under a new law.
The UK Government is planning to introduce new legislation that will prevent anyone under the age of 16 in England from buying energy drinks such as Monster, Red Bull and Prime from all retailers, including shops, restaurants, cafes, vending machines and online. Major supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Morrisons and Asda have already stopped selling drinks to under-16s, but research shows some smaller convenience stores are still selling them to children, according to the Department of Health.
Ministers said a ban on the sale of these highly caffeinated drinks could help prevent obesity in up to 40,000 children and tackle problems such as sleep disturbance, increased anxiety and lack of concentration, as well as poor school results.
Recent data from a 2022 survey of children aged 11 to 15 in England found that 4% of children consumed one or more high-caffeine energy drinks per day; This means an estimated 100,000 children consume them daily.
Under the plans, it will be illegal for all stores to sell energy drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per liter to people under 16.
The rules mean that highly caffeinated energy drinks such as Monster, Red Bull, Prime and Monster will violate this limit; however, lower caffeine soft drinks such as Coca-Cola, Coca‑Cola Zero, Diet Coke and Pepsi and tea or coffee will not be affected.
Health and Social Care Minister Wes Streeting said: “How can we expect children to do well at school if they have the equivalent of a double espresso in their system on a daily basis?
“Energy drinks may seem harmless, but today’s children’s sleep, concentration and well-being are affected, while high-sugar versions damage their teeth and contribute to obesity.
“As part of our plan to move from change and treatment to prevention, we are acting on the concerns of parents and teachers and tackling directly the root causes of poor health and educational underachievement.
“By preventing stores from selling these drinks to children, we are helping to lay the foundations for future generations to be healthier and happier.”
A consultation is currently running for 12 weeks to gather evidence from health and education experts, retailers, manufacturers, local practice leaders and the public. An official date for the ban has not yet been set but Mr Streeting said it would come “much sooner” than the end of Parliament.
Drinks containing more than 150 mg of caffeine per liter must carry warning labels stating that they are not recommended for children.
Gavin Partington, chief executive of the British Soft Drinks Association, said the companies did not market or promote the drinks to anyone under 16.
He said: “Our members have led the way in self-regulation through our long-standing energy drinks code of practice. Our members do not market or promote the sale of energy drinks to anyone under 16 and do not label all highly caffeinated drinks as ‘not recommended for children’ in the spirit of this code.”
“As with all government policies, it is essential that future regulations are based on a rigorous assessment of the available evidence.”
