LONDON – Britain’s government launched a public consultation on Thursday over plans to ban the sale of energy drinks to young people, as it grapples with some of Western Europe’s worst child obesity rates. Prime Minister Theresa May wants to prevent retailers from selling popular energy drinks, such as Red Bull, Monster and Relentless, to children because of their high levels of sugar and caffeine. “With thousands of young people regularly consuming energy drinks, often because they are sold at cheaper prices than soft drinks, we will consult on banning the sale of energy drinks to children,” she added. The proposed legislation will prevent the sale of energy drinks that contain more than 150 milligrams of caffeine per liter to children. On average, non-diet energy drinks also contain 60 percent more calories and 65 percent more sugar than regular soft drinks, it said.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer August 30, 2018 09:00 UTC