UK Bans High-Caffeine Drinks for Under-16s: How Does Coffee Compare?

By Dannielle Maguire

Topic: Adolescent Health

The article was published on Sat 25 Jul 2026 at 4:30am

The UK plans to ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16.

The British government wants to stop selling energy drinks with high caffeine to people under 16.

The ban will cover drinks with more than 150 milligrams of caffeine per liter, except for tea or coffee.

Supporters of the ban say these drinks are linked to sleep problems, anxiety, and poor focus in children and teens.

But how do energy drinks compare to coffee, tea, and other drinks people often have?

What's the situation like in Australia?

How much caffeine is in an energy drink?

The amount of caffeine in energy drinks can vary depending on the brand and size.

In Australia, energy drinks can't have more than 320 milligrams of caffeine per liter.

This means a 250ml can would have 80 milligrams of caffeine, and a 500ml can would have 160 milligrams.

How much caffeine is in coffee?

The amount of caffeine in coffee depends on the type and how long it's been brewed.

The European Food Information Council says longer brewing times increase the caffeine concentration.

The council made a list of caffeine amounts in foods and drinks based on a 2015 study.

It's essential to note that the average caffeine amount in a product can vary from the amount per serving.

Source: European Food Safety Authority

Why is caffeine bad for kids?

Caffeine affects the central nervous system.

Professor Gina Trapp says stimulants directly affect the brain.

Energy drinks are not suitable for children due to their lower tolerance for stimulants.

The same amount of caffeine can have a more significant effect on a child than an adult.

Professor Trapp has researched energy drinks and young people, co-authoring several papers.

She also says the high caffeine content in energy drinks makes them addictive.

Jane Martin, from the Food for Health Alliance, says children can experience higher caffeine concentrations due to their smaller body mass.

The Food for Health Alliance works to improve diets and prevent obesity in Australia.

Jane Martin says the high caffeine and stimulants in energy drinks can harm physical and mental health.

Energy drinks can cause heart problems, sleep issues, anxiety, and irritability.

Sleep is crucial for young people, as they need more sleep than adults for growth and mental wellbeing.

Espresso coffees have a higher caffeine concentration than filtered or instant coffees.

Does Australia have a ban on energy drinks for young people?

No, there is no federal law restricting the sale of high-caffeine drinks to children in Australia.

There are warning labels on energy drink packaging and advice for school canteens.

The federal health department says Australia has measures to protect children from high-caffeine products.

Energy drinks in Australia must carry a warning label saying they're not recommended for children or pregnant women.

Recent changes to the Food Standards Code have strengthened controls on caffeine in foods and beverages.

The National Healthy School Canteens Guidelines advise against selling energy drinks in school canteens.

The Australian Dietary Guidelines say energy drinks are not suitable for children.

Is this enough?

Jane Martin says Australia already recognizes that energy drinks are not suitable for children.

Restricting energy drink sales to young people would offer better protection than current measures.

There is growing evidence supporting the restriction of energy drink sales to children and teens.

Introducing an age-based sales ban in Australia would require separate legislation.

Energy drink manufacturers might complicate matters.

Last year, Coca-Cola said Australia's energy drink sector was booming.

The energy drink category is growing by 19.6% year-on-year, with strong growth expected to continue.

The pressure from industry opposition may act as a barrier to implementing a ban.

The ABC has contacted Coca-Cola and Monster Energy for comment.

The Australian Beverages Council opposes the idea of a ban.

The council includes Monster Energy, Coca-Cola, and PepsiCo as members.

The council's website says members voluntarily agree not to advertise energy drinks to children or sell them at schools.

However, Professor Trapp argues that energy drinks are aggressively marketed towards young people.

The council's CEO says restricting energy drink sales for under-16s would be a quick headline.

He says it doesn't reflect the evidence and regulatory arrangements in Australia.

Implementing a ban would be disproportionate to the Australian evidence base and present enforcement challenges.

The CEO supports Australia's existing food regulatory system and its strict controls on energy drinks.

A recent review by Food Standards Australia New Zealand looked into caffeine and approved changes to labelling restrictions.

The review did not recommend restrictions on the sale of energy drinks.

FSANZ says there's no evidence to change the permitted caffeine content of energy drinks.

ABC with Reuters

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