Alert and ready for action: why it’s time to ban energy drinks for under-18s

Energy drinks come in slimline, brightly colored containers. They are caffeinated and highly sweetened beverages. You can find them almost anywhere.

Energy drinks are often advertised as “enhancing alertness, performance and youth-centric sports such as lifesaving.”

The consumption patterns of youth energy drinks are poorly reported. Few studies with children revealed that up to two-thirds (62%) of grade 7-12 students consumed energy drinks during the past year.

According to a recent Australian study, the average age at which youth start drinking energy drinks is ten.

People aged 18 or younger may be at risk of serious injury from energy drinks. According to research conducted with young adults, the stimulant effects of energy drinks can cause headaches and sleep difficulties. The primary ingredient in coffee, caffeine, is generally blamed for these side effects.

Energy drinks can have similar effects to caffeine intoxication. These include anxiety, agitation, and insomnia. Caffeine’s cardiovascular effects, including higher blood pressure, could be contributing to an increase in disease.

The caffeine tolerance of young people is lower, making them more susceptible to caffeine’s negative effects. Data from the New South Wales Poisons Information Centre and the United States National Poison Data System show that the majority of cases involving energy drinks involved children and teenagers. The use of energy drinks by adolescents with heart conditions is especially concerning, as they are at a higher risk for high blood pressure, arrhythmia, and sudden death.

Governments should prohibit the sale of energy beverages to anyone younger than 18 years of age due to the increased risk of harm.

What safety measures are there in Australia?

The Australian New Zealand Food Standards Code states that a standard 250-millilitre can of energy drink may only contain 80 milligrams of caffeine. This is the same amount of caffeine as a 250ml cup of instant coffee (77.5mg/250ml).

The package labeling standards require manufacturers to provide the maximum daily recommended intake and warn pregnant women, children, and those sensitive to caffeine against consumption.

Labeling for children is not age-specific and often has poor visibility.

According to research, energy drinks are often consumed in excess of the recommended daily maximum. It is easy to exceed the recommended daily maximum when you buy a four-can package, which can double or quadruple your intake.

Energy drink producers and distributors are currently operating with no restrictions on access, availability, and marketing to kids, despite claims by the Australian beverage industry.

The Australian Beverages Council published An industry commitment that marketing and advertising is not directed at children. However, research shows that Australian children can be influenced by energy drinks and find the marketing of these drinks humorous, entertaining, and relatable.

How does our policy compare to other countries?

In November 2014, Lithuania grabbed headlines when it prohibited the sale of energy beverages (containing more than 150mg of caffeine per liter) to anyone younger than 18 years. Lithuania, despite being the most aggressive regulatory approach to date, did not restrict the amount of caffeine that can be added to beverages sold over 18.

European Commission Regulation specifies the “high caffeine content labelling” in the same area of vision as beverage names. Labels must state that the beverage is not for children.

Health Canada offers more comprehensive guidelines. They restrict caffeine content, regulate labeling, and prohibit marketing to children.

It is not surprising that energy drinks are poorly controlled in the United States. The country has one of the largest energy drink markets in the world. Energy drinks are not restricted in the US, nor is there a maximum limit for caffeine.

The US Food and Drug Administration announced in 2014 that energy drinks should be classified as beverages. This means manufacturers must declare the presence of caffeine on the packaging. These guidelines are not binding.

American Beverage Association has issued voluntary guidelines that are similar to those of our Australian Beverages Council. These guidelines state that energy drinks must not be advertised to children. A 2013 US Senate Hearing revealed that major energy drink producers were aggressively marketing their products to children.

Australia’s response

Energy drinks have not been proven to be safe. Should, therefore, ban the sale of energy drinks to anyone younger than 18 years.

This is possible from a logistical perspective. Supermarkets, service stations, and milk bars stock products that are restricted to certain age groups, such as pornography, tobacco, and scratch-to-win lottery tickets.

This model could be extended to reflect recent changes in France, where beverage manufacturers have reduced the caffeine in their beverages in order to avoid a tax levied based on caffeine.

If, in the future, evidence proves that they are safe, then the ban may be lifted.