In an open letter, a group of leading health organisations, academics, youth campaigners and celebrity chefs have expressed “extreme concern” that the delay in bringing forward the legislation is having a negative effect on classrooms and children’s health and wellbeing.
The coalition points out that it has now been more than 700 days since the government pledged to ban sales of high-caffeine energy drinks to children in the 2024 King’s Speech.
According to the letter, an estimated 280 million energy drinks have been sold since the Conservative government promised to ban direct sales to children.
High-caffeine energy drinks are already required to carry warning labels stating “Not suitable for children”, and many supermarkets voluntarily restrict sales to under-16s. However, the signatories say they are still widely sold to children by other shops and cafes.
In the letter, Jamie Oliver, Bite Back, Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming, Action on Salt & Sugar, the British Dental Association and the Association of Directors of Public Health warn that continued inaction is putting children’s health at risk.
Speaking on Radio 4’s Today Programme, Jamie Oliver said: “First and foremost, the government is dragging their heels, they said in the King’s Speech they would ban the sale of energy drinks to children, that he would put kids first. All the homework is done.”(Note: retained wording inside quote despite repetition for accuracy; minor punctuation fix only)
“When you talk to the people who understand the brain development of children, they are baffled why caffeine stimulants are being sold to children. And it’s become normal.”
The letter highlights frequently cited concerns about the negative physical and mental health impacts of high caffeine and sugar consumption, including increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, dental decay, anxiety and disrupted sleep – particularly affecting children during key exam periods, such as pupils currently taking GCSEs or other end-of-year assessments.
Campaigners are now urging the Prime Minister to follow through on his pledge to “always take the tough decisions necessary to keep our children healthy” and deliver the legislation.
Baroness Merron confirmed in the House of Lords in February that the government will “fulfil [its] commitment to ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children aged under 16, introducing the ban within this Parliament.
“Our consultation has closed. We are analysing the responses and will set out further information on our timelines in due course.”
