UK: Morrisons introduces age restrictions on sale of energy drinks

UK: Morrisons introduces age restrictions on sale of energy drinks

Morrisons is the first major retailer in the UK to ban sales of energy drinks to under 16s, the BBC reports.

The supermarket, which is trialling the ban in stores in Glasgow, Dorset, Leeds, Cheshire, Staffordshire and Suffolk, will require customers wishing to purchase certain energy drinks to show proof of age if staff believe they may be under 16.

Any energy drink containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre will be affected. Based on current formulations, this will include leading brands such as Red Bull, Monster and Relentless.

The ban comes after a recent campaign was launched in Edinburgh to encourage retailers to crack down on sales of energy drinks to young teens. Energy drinks sales are already banned in schools in Scotland, under the Health Promotion and Nutrition Act Scotland 2007.

The ban is not the first of its kind globally – in 2009, two major retailers in Sweden implemented similar restrictions over concerns the drinks caused hyperactivity or could even be a gateway to alcohol abuse.

Energy drink manufacturers have yet to respond to the ban, according to the BBC.

Source: BBC