Teens to be banned from shopping for vitality drinks similar to Prime beneath Labour plan

Energy drinks will probably be banned from being bought to under-16s, beneath plans being thought-about by Labour.

A clampdown is being checked out due to worries in regards to the influence on kids’s well being – in addition to their training.

The drinks might be filled with excessive ranges of caffeine in addition to loads of sugar. Research means that extreme consumption by kids is linked to complications, sleeping issues, irritation and tiredness.

According to proof, youngsters repeatedly having the drinks can result in poor efficiency and unhealthy behaviour at college. A examine revealed final month additionally instructed they may enhance the dangers of hysteria, stress and suicidal ideas.

Up to a 3rd of youngsters within the UK eat caffeinated vitality drinks each week, with boys extra probably to purchase them. Products similar to Prime Energy, Monster and Rockstar have grow to be more and more standard.

Most supermarkets have launched a voluntary ban on the sale of vitality drinks to under-16s. But mother and father and lecturers have raised issues about how they are often simply purchased from nook retailers on the best way to high school.

A whole ban on gross sales to under-16s was proposed in 2019, however ministers have did not take motion. Countries together with Latvia and Lithuania have already banned the sale of vitality drinks to kids.

A can of Rockstar comprises 200mg of caffeine, Monster has 160mg, whereas Prime Energy has 140mg. That’s round double the roughly 80mg present in a mug of espresso.

Labour has been discussing the concept of a ban on gross sales to under-16s because it pulls collectively its election manifesto.

Over 40 well being organisations and specialists together with the Children’s Food Campaign final month wrote to each the Health Secretary Victoria Atkins and her Labour counterpart Wes Streeting to name for a ban to be launched urgently. Signatories to the letter included the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, British Dental Association, Diabetes UK, and the British Medical Association.

Barbara Crowther of the Children’s Food Campaign stated: “Energy drinks firms should not be allowed to extend earnings on the expense of kid well being. The authorities stated it might ban the sale of vitality drinks to beneath 16-year-olds 5 years in the past however did not really do it. All proof factors to those over-caffeinated drinks being dangerous to kids’s well being.

“There is a lot of support for this measure from supermarkets who are already restricting sales to children voluntarily – to protect children properly there needs to be an outright ban in all sales outlets. With evidence growing on both mental and physical harms of these drinks, it’s time for action.”

Teaching unions have spoken about the role energy drinks can play in poor pupil behaviour and how they present a barrier to learning. NASUWT General Secretary Patrick Roach last night said: “Energy drinks are readily available legal highs, and consumption by young people should be banned.

“Teachers see every day how high levels of these stimulants are impacting on poor behaviour in the classroom. Consumption by teenagers can also lead to increased risk of poor academic performance, sleep problems, and issues with concentration and behaviour. Despite the Government announcing a ban in 2019 it never saw the light of day. A ban on energy drinks is long overdue.”

Sports and energy drinks sales are continuing to boom, with £2.2billion in 2023, up 21.6% on the previous year.

Parents’ horror as child has ‘cardiac episode’ after drinking Prime Energy

A primary school pupil was admitted to hospital with heart problems after they consumed a Prime Energy drink.

The child had to have their stomach pumped after they suffered a “cardiac episode”. Milton Primary School in Newport, Wales sent a warning to parents in the wake of the incident, which took place at the weekend away from the school.

The Prime drinks brand has become wildly popular with youngsters after being promoted by social media influencers Logan Paul and KSI. Videos have been posted online of supermarkets being swarmed by crowds emptying the shelves after it has come into stock.

A can of Prime Energy contains 140mg of caffiene, which is almost double the around 80mg found in a mug of coffee. It comes in flavours including Orange Mango and Strawberry Watermelon. The drink is not recommended for children under the age of 18, which is stated on the label.

As well as the energy drink that is sold in cans, the brand also makes Prime Hydrate, which comes in bottles and does not contain caffeine.

In a message to parents last May, Milton Primary School wrote: “A parent has reported that their child has had a cardiac episode over the weekend after drinking a Prime energy drink. The child had to have their stomach pumped and, although better now, the parent wanted us to share this as a reminder of the potential harmful effects.”

Another college, Bowling Park Primary School in Bradford, final yr wrote to oldsters after vitality drinks had been introduced in by pupils on two events. It stated: “Please can you support us to ensure our children do not bring energy drinks into school.”