AQW 5625/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 06/02/2024
Answered On Date: 08/02/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health what consideration he is giving to a full ban on the sale of energy drinks to people aged under 16, in line with proposals in existence since 2019 for both England and Scotland.

Answer:

In the UK, there are no legal age restrictions on the sale of any caffeine containing food and beverages, including energy drinks. In 2018, the UK government consulted on the introduction of a proposed ban on selling energy drinks to children. To date the results of the consultation have not been published and there has been no further development on this policy. However, many larger retailers and supermarkets have voluntarily stopped selling energy drinks to under 16s.