Energy drinks and under-16s: the new UK rules explained

England plans to ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s from April 2027. The rule covers drinks, other than tea and coffee, with more than 150 mg of caffeine per litre, and applies in shops, vending machines and online. It was confirmed by the UK government in July 2026 and still needs Parliamentary approval.

Key points
• Who: no sales of high-caffeine energy drinks to anyone under 16 in England.
• When: planned from April 2027, subject to Parliament.
• What: drinks other than tea or coffee with more than 150 mg of caffeine per litre.
• Fines: up to £2,500 for businesses that break the rule, enforced by local authorities.

Table of contents

• What the new rule says
• Which drinks count as high-caffeine?
• Why the government is bringing it in
• What happens until then
• What about caffeine pouches?
• FAQ

What the new rule says

According to the Department of Health and Social Care (July 2026):

• The sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s will be banned in England.
• It is planned to start in April 2027, through secondary legislation under the Food Safety Act 1990, subject to Parliamentary approval.
• It covers all retail: shops, vending machines, websites and online sales. Business-to-business sales are not covered.
• Retailers are responsible for following it, local authorities enforce it, and businesses that break it can be fined up to £2,500.

Which drinks count as high-caffeine?

Drinks other than tea or coffee that contain more than 150 mg of caffeine per litre. These drinks already have to carry the label warning "High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women" (GOV.UK).

For scale: a 250 ml energy drink contains about 80 mg of caffeine and a 300–500 ml can about 160–200 mg. See Energy drinks with the least caffeine.

Why the government is bringing it in

The government estimates that around 100,000 children in England drink high-caffeine energy drinks every day, and that children in more deprived areas are more likely to drink them. In a December 2024 survey, 70% of 11–16-year-olds said it was easy or very easy for people their age to buy them.

The European Food Safety Authority has not set a safe caffeine intake for children. It uses 3 mg of caffeine per kg of body weight as a reference level, about 140 mg for a child weighing 47 kg, so a single 500 ml can (160–200 mg) is above that level. Source: GOV.UK consultation.

What happens until then

Since 2018, many UK supermarkets and shops have voluntarily stopped selling high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s. Until the law starts, this depends on each retailer.

What about caffeine pouches?

Caffeine pouches are not drinks, so this rule is about energy drinks. Optimal Native sells only to adults aged 18 and over, and our pouches state on the label that they are not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women. Morning Energy contains 200 mg and Daily Flow 75 mg of caffeine per pouch; Evening Relax is caffeine-free. More about caffeine pouches: Caffeine pouches in the UK.

Work out your own total: caffeine calculator.

FAQ

When does the energy drinks ban for under-16s start?
It is planned for April 2027 in England, subject to Parliamentary approval.

Does the ban include tea and coffee?
No. Tea and coffee are excluded.

Does it apply to online shops?
Yes. It covers shops, vending machines, websites and online sales.

What is the fine for selling to under-16s?
Up to £2,500, enforced by local authorities.

Read more: Caffeine pouches vs energy drinks · How much caffeine is too much?

Optimal Native is coming to the UK. One stack for the whole day: Morning Energy, Daily Flow and Evening Relax. Pre-orders ship from 15 December 2026.