Waitrose to ban sale of high caffeine energy drinks to children
The Waitrose supermarket chain is to stop selling high caffeine energy drinks to children.
From 5 March, the retailer will ask customers buying caffeinated energy drinks containing more than 150 mg of caffeine per litre to prove they are over 16 years of age.
Waitrose said the move builds on existing industry labelling guidelines which require any soft drink with more than 150 mg of caffeine per litre to carry a high caffeine content warning and state it is not recommended for children.
Simon Moore, Waitrose director of technical and corporate social responsibility, said: “As a responsible retailer we want to sell these products in line with the labelling guidance.
“These drinks carry advice stating that they are not recommended for children, so we’re choosing to proactively act on that guidance, particularly given the widespread concerns which have been raised about these drinks when consumed by under 16s.”
