The UK government announced plans to prohibit the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under the age of 16 in England beginning April 2027, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen protections for children's health and wellbeing.
The proposed legislation, which remains subject to parliamentary approval, will ban the sale of energy drinks containing more than 150 milligrams of caffeine per litre to under-16s. The restrictions will apply across all retail channels, including supermarkets, convenience stores, vending machines, and online platforms.
Government officials said the measure is designed to reduce excessive caffeine consumption among young people, citing evidence linking high-caffeine energy drinks to sleep disruption, anxiety, and reduced concentration.
According to government estimates, around 100,000 children in England consume high-caffeine energy drinks every day, reinforcing concerns among health authorities about their impact on physical and mental wellbeing.
The energy drink restrictions form part of a wider child health agenda being pursued by Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government, which has introduced a series of initiatives aimed at addressing risks facing children and teenagers in the digital and physical environment.
Alongside the proposed beverage regulations, the government is also considering tighter controls on young people's use of social media. These proposals include banning access to social media platforms for children under 16 and introducing default nighttime restrictions for users aged 16 and 17, measures officials say could improve sleep quality, mental health, and overall wellbeing among young people.
If approved by Parliament, the energy drink ban would place England among a growing number of jurisdictions adopting stricter regulations on caffeine consumption by minors as governments increasingly prioritize preventive public health policies.
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