Consum will prohibit the sale of energy drinks to minors under 16 years of age

The Minister of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and the 2030 Agenda, Pablo Bustinduy, announced this Wednesday that he will implement regulations to prohibit the sale of energy drinks to minors under 16 years of age. This ban will be extended to minors under 18 years of age in the case of drinks containing more than 32 milligrams of caffeine per 100 milliliters, he explained from Barcelona. "There is scientific evidence that these energy drinks have become a threat to the health of young people," he stated. Bustinduy also emphasized that this measure has broad public support, referring to the barometer on advertising of food and energy drinks released last week by the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN), which indicates that nine out of ten people in Spain agree with this prohibition. The minister also highlighted that this data includes very high support among young people: 88.3 percent of those surveyed between 18 and 35 years old would ban energy drinks. However, the same report indicates that 25% of respondents consume energy drinks, and do so an average of twice a week. Furthermore, almost half (49%) of those who consume energy drinks have at least one a day, and 47% regularly mix them with alcohol. No deadlines set.

When asked how and when this measure will come into effect, Bustinduy said he is "firmly committed" to implementing this regulation with "the most effective legal instrument" and that it "will be enacted as soon as possible." This regulation will complement the ban on the sale of energy drinks in schools throughout Spain, which was promoted by the Consumers' Association. Furthermore, in response to the rise of "highly aggressive advertising campaigns" for energy drinks and other unhealthy products, the minister noted that regulations governing the advertising of these foods were recently implemented.