AoS Comment: Asda and Aldi follow Waitrose in banning sale of energy drinks to under 16s
Today Asda and Aldi have announced that they are banning sales of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16, following the example set by Waitrose on 4th January.
Kawther Hashem, nutritionist at Action on Sugar at Queen Mary University of London says, “We are delighted to see that Asda has followed Waitrose’s lead with its ban on energy drinks and hope all the other big retailers will comply. Energy drinks are a huge contributor to sugar intake which is linked to the development of obesity and various types of cancer, as well as type 2 diabetes and is rotting our children’s teeth. Our study published last month in the BMJ Open revealed that sugar, calorie and caffeine content in energy drinks remain far too high. Just one can of Rockstar Punched (500ml) contains 78g sugar – that’s nearly 20 teaspoons! Retailers must be held accountable and reminded to reconsider their ethical responsibility."
Action on Sugar media coverage:
Radio
BBC Sussex
BBC Radio 5 Live
Online
The Guardian: Asda and Aldi ban sale of energy drinks to under 16s
Devon Live: Aldi and Asda to ban sales of high-caffeine energy drinks to under 16s after health concerns
Food Navigator: Energy drinks under scrutiny as retail enforces under-16s sales ban
Shemazing: Bring your I.D: Aldi to stop selling all energy drinks to under 16s
Retail Gazette: Asda & Aldi ban sale of energy drinks to under 16s
Daily Record: Asda and Aldi to ban sales of this item to under 16s
Coventry Telegraph: Asda, Aldi and Waitrose to ban sales of high-caffeine energy drinks to under 16s
The Times: Asda and Aldi join energy drink ban for under-16s
Belfast Telegraph: Asda and Aldi join high-caffeine energy drinks ban
Food Manufacture: More retailers ban sale of energy drinks to children
Newshub: UK supermarkets ban energy drink sales for under 16s
New Food: Aldi and Asda follow Waitrose into energy drink age restrictions
