An energy drink appearing to be marketed to children contains an illegal level of caffeine
The sale of all energy drinks to young people and children in the UK should be banned, says a review of the latest evidence on their effects on health.
It highlighted links to more risks than previously found, such as anxiety, stress and suicidal thoughts.
These drinks often contain high levels of caffeine and sugar, and are sold as providing an energy boost.
Most UK supermarkets have introduced a voluntary ban on the sale of energy drinks to under-16s.
A complete ban, which would also cover smaller shops, online retailers and vending machines, was proposed in England and Scotland in 2019.
Health ministers in England said they would set out their full response in due course.
On the back of the review, 40 health-related organisations have written a letter to Health Secretary Victoria Atkins to repeat the call for sales of energy drinks to be further restricted.
“Many of these drinks contain high amounts of caffeine, as much as between 160-200mg per can in some cases, which is double the amount found in an average cup of coffee (about 80mg depending on the strength),” the letter says.
The packaging on the drinks often says they are not suitable for children, and yet they can be easily bought by under-18s from corner shops, the researchers and experts say.
Energy drinks are marketed as giving a physical and mental boost, and providing more energy than standard soft drinks.
It is a huge and growing market, and up to a third of UK children drink them every week.
Dr Amelia Lake, professor of public health nutrition at Teesside University, who led the review, looked at 57 recent studies of energy drinks and their impact on young people’s health. More than one million children from 21 countries were included.
“The evidence is clear that energy drinks are harmful to the mental and physical health of children and young people, as well as their behaviour and education,” she said.
“We need to take action now to protect them from these risks.”
