Waitrose has banned children under the age of 16 from buying energy drinks with 150mg of caffeine in them. Teenagers will no longer be allowed to purchase drinks such as Monster and Red Bull from March 5.
The supermarket believes that they have made a fair decision as energy drinks can have a negative impact on young people’s health, as well as their behaviour.
Youths who want to purchase the popular beverages must show proof of age to the cashier, they will not be allowed purchase the drinks without a valid ID.
Simon Moore of Waitrose stated, “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.”
Teachers expressed their concerns about the consumption of the energy drinks before Christmas, so they will be thrilled with this move by Waitrose.
The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers expressed their support for the supermarket's decision, “These drinks are readily available legal highs and are leading to children and young people consuming high levels of stimulants, with little known about the long-term health impacts.”
Chris Keats added, “Waitrose has taken a positive and responsible step which hopefully not only other supermarkets will follow, but which will also encourage the Government to produce national guidelines on recommended consumption levels of caffeine for children.”
The union shared that youths need to be educated about the side effects of the energy drinks. They hope this ban raises some much-needed awareness.
The risks associated with the consumption of energy drinks:
- Sensation-seeking behaviour
- Poor dental health
- Obesity
- Type-2 diabetes
- Use and dependence on other harmful substances
- Neurological and cardiovascular system effects in children and adolescents
- Caffeine overdose, which can cause heart palpitations, nausea, vomiting, and in extreme cases- death.
Do you think Waitrose made the right move?
