Labour to Prohibit Sale of Energy Drinks to Minors
The party has proposed enforcing a 9 p.m. watershed on advertising junk food on TV and limitations on advertising ‘less healthy foods’ on social media.
A Labour government under the leadership of Sir Keir Starmer would prohibit the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to individuals under 16 years of age.
These regulations would impact the sale of energy drinks with over 150mg of caffeine per litre. This means beverages like Pepsi or Coca-Cola would be unaffected, but a 500ml can of Monster Energy would exceed the limit.
Labour stated on Tuesday that these measures are necessary due to the harmful impact of these highly caffeinated drinks on children’s dental health and behavior in school.
Sir Keir emphasized that selling such drinks to children is unjustifiable and intolerable, stating that if Labour emerges victorious in the July 4 election, they will put an end to it. He added, “I will always make the tough decisions to safeguard the health of our children.”
Drinks Aimed at Children
Sir Keir specifically mentioned Monster energy drink and defended the party’s choice not to impose similar bans on other high-caffeine drinks like coffee.
He argued that drinks such as Monster are targeted at children and highlighted the fact that these are the drinks children are consuming.
“Monster, I think, is the number one in this category,” he stated. He continued, “To give you an idea, the caffeine content in Monster is equivalent to several espressos, which is why it’s affecting children’s behavior so significantly. Talk to any school teacher, and they’ll tell you what the issue is.
“Additionally, it has a detrimental effect on their teeth.”
Sir Keir expressed shock and anger upon learning that more children undergo dental extractions than any other operation between the ages of six and ten.
Sugar Taxes and Smoking Bans
This move would not be the first attempt by the government to reduce soft drink consumption.
Labour Targets Fast Food and Junk Food
Sir Keir made the commitment to limit caffeine drink sales before visiting Whale Hill Primary School in Middlesbrough to launch the Child Health Action Plan.
The Epoch Times reached out to Monster for their response.
PA Media contributed to this report.
