The Spanish government plans to ban the sale of energy drinks to children under 16, Consumer Rights Minister Pablo Bustinduy announced on Wednesday. This is reported by TASR according to a report from the Euronews station. Drinks with a high caffeine content (more than 32 milligrams per 0.1 l) will only be allowed to be purchased by people over the age of 18, according to the upcoming regulation.
The goal is to protect the health of children and youth. Similar rules already apply in some Spanish regions, the central government now wants to unify them for the entire territory. The sale of energy drinks has been banned in schools and universities since 2024. Support for the ban is high – according to the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN), nine out of ten Spaniards agree with it, 88.3 percent in the 18-35 age group. Another regulation that limits the advertising of unhealthy food aimed at children is also awaiting approval.
The European Union does not yet prescribe uniform rules for the sale and consumption of energy drinks. In most countries there are no restrictions yet, but some states have already introduced age limits due to the health risks associated with excessive drinking among young people. These include Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary and Bulgaria.
