Labour to ban sale of energy drinks to under-16s

The ban will prevent children under 16 from buying drinks containing more than 150 mg of caffeine per liter. Photo: Keith Homan/Alamy Stock Photo

Labour has pledged to ban energy drinks for children under 16 due to their «dangerously high» caffeine content.

The party said it would announce “toxic” drinks are illegal. ” products for schoolchildren to stop them turning up to class “with the equivalent of three espressos.”

The National Trading Standards ban will prevent children under 16 from buying drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre.

Soft drinks such as Coca-Cola are expected to fall below the limit, while the 500ml Monster Energy can will exceed it.

Retailers caught selling to children will be fined and potentially lose their license if they «break the law».

Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labor Party, said selling such highly caffeinated drinks to children was «unjustifiable and unacceptable». adding: “We will stop this. I will always make the difficult decisions necessary to keep our children healthy.»