MPs support action to reduce children's energy drink consumption

A report by the Science and Technology Committee has concluded that societal concerns could justify a ban on the sale of energy drinks to children. However, the Committee found that the current quantitative evidence alone is not sufficient to warrant a statutory ban.

The Committee sought to understand whether the caffeine in energy drinks had a negative health and behavioural effect on young people and if the sale of energy drinks to under 16s should be banned.

The Committee concluded that the existing quantitative evidence alone is not sufficient to justify a statutory ban on the sale of energy drinks to children, however, it did support any voluntary action taken by schools, retailers and local communities that could reduce energy drink consumption among children, including exclusion zones.

It acknowledges that the current voluntary ban implemented by a number of retailers amplifies the message that energy drinks are associated with negative health, behavioural and dietary effects.

It recognises that it might be legitimate for the Government to implement a statutory ban based on societal concerns and qualitative evidence, such as the experience of school teachers.

The low price and easy access to energy drinks can lead to high consumption levels amongst children and teenagers, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Committee also recommends that the Government commission independent research to establish whether energy drinks have more harmful effects than other soft drinks containing caffeine in order to support evidence-based decision-making.

The Committee also recommends that there should be more prominent advisory notices on energy drinks packaging. The Report recommends that the Government should use the opportunity of leaving the EU to introduce additional labelling requirements to ensure that advisory messages are not merely in 'the small print', enabling more informed decision prior to purchase.

Rt Hon Norman Lamb MP, Chair of the Science and Technology Committee, said: “Throughout this inquiry, the Committee has heard a range of concerns warning of the impact energy drinks can have on the behaviour of young people. This varied from a lack of concentration in the classroom and hyperactivity to the effects on physical health. It’s clear from the evidence we received that disadvantaged children are consuming energy drinks at a higher rate than their peers.

“Although the Committee feels there is not enough scientific evidence alone to support a blanket ban, we support voluntary bans by retailers — many of whom have recognised the negative impact associated with such products. The Government needs to commission independent research to see whether energy drinks are more harmful than other soft drinks.

“It would be legitimate for the Government to go beyond the evidence that is available at the moment and implement a statutory ban based on societal concerns and evidence, such as the experience of school teachers and pupils. If the Government decides to introduce a ban it should explain why it has come to this decision.”