(Pic: Energy drinks are highly popular among young people. Credit: Pexels) 

Most major UK supermarkets banned the sale of high caffeine energy drinks to under 16s due to concerns over high blood sugar levels and excessive caffeine consumption, Jacob Dickinson reports

Supermarket chains such as: Asda, Waitrose, Tesco and many others are planning on introducing the rule in the coming days or have already implemented the rule into their daily trading.

Hi Billy, We’ve joined all major retailers in support of Jamie Oliver’s #NotForChildren campaign, outlining concerns for children drinking high caffeine soft drinks. ^SH

— Co-op Food (@coopukfood) March 3, 2018

The ban has received a warm welcome by Celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver, MP Maria Caulfield and the NASUWT (The Teachers’ Union).

Jamie Oliver took to twitter to share his delight with regards to the ban after he began the hashtag campaign #Notforchildren. He wrote:

“[These supermarkets] Have done the right thing! Stopping the sale of energy drinks to children. #Notforchildren”

MP Maria Caulfield was also very welcoming, following her request earlier on in the year for the Prime Minister to consider a nationwide ban on energy drinks following the suicide of Justin Bartholomew, 25. Justin’s family where certain that his intake of 15 cans of energy drinks on a daily basis contributed significantly to the increase of his anxiety which sadly resulted in his death.

The NASUWT were also happy with the outcome, their general secretary Chris Keates told the BBC that:

“The very high levels of caffeine and sugar these drinks contain impact adversely on pupil behaviour in schools and the teachers are left to deal with the fallout.”

Assistant Manager of the Waterloo Tesco, Jamaal Clarke told JLDN:

“Obviously our biggest concern as a supermarket is our customers welfare, these drinks can be sold to anybody regardless of age and I feel as if most young people wouldn’t be aware of the consequences these products can have on their bodies.”

Curious to see what the public had to say on the issue we spoke to Jack Peters:

“I can see why the government may want to introduce some legislation for these drinks but an outright ban would surely be a breach of our freedoms in the UK to live how we would like to live – because some people can’t gauge what’s healthy or unhealthy for them we all have to suffer as a consequence. But as far as the under 16s ban, I’m very in favour.”