Australia facing calls to ban energy drinks for under-16s after major UK crackdown

There are renewed calls to ban energy drinks for under-16s in Australia after the UK government officially confirmed a landmark law banning high-caffeine energy drink sales to minors in England, coming into force in April 2027.

However some health experts oppose the ban, citing concerns the measure will only serve to make energy drinks more enticing to young teenagers and children.

Under the upcoming UK restrictions, any drink containing more than 150 milligrams of caffeine per litre will be illegal to sell to children under 16 across physical retail stores, vending machines, and online outlets.

Businesses caught breaching the regulations will face steep fines of up to £2,500 ($4,770 AUD).

While many major UK supermarket chains had already voluntarily restricted these sales, the new measure makes the ban a nationwide legal requirement.

The move has reignited intense debate in Australia that local protections don’t go far enough.

High caffeine “just the tip of the iceberg’

Paediatric nutritionist Mandy Sacher strongly supports introducing a similar ban across Australia, warning that the high caffeine levels found in popular beverages are only part of a broader health concern.

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“The concern with a lot of these energy drinks is that they’re ultra-processed sweetened beverages which contain the caffeine, which we know can contribute to anxiety, sleeplessness, mood disorders, lack of concentration, and then you’ve got artificial flavours, colours,” Sacher tells nine.com.au.

Beyond the mental health impact, Sacher points out that standard energy drinks often contain around six teaspoons of sugar, alongside additives like the sweetener sucralose, which Sacher says may cause gastric disruption, and citric acid, which has been linked to tooth erosion.

Fast food outlets selling energy drinks called into question

Sacher expressed growing concern over fast food outlets selling energy drinks. Dominio’s Pizza and Oporto offer cans of Red Bull on their drinks menus, and Subway sells Celsius energy drinks.

McDonald’s also sells cans of Red Bull and recently launched a new expanded range of McCafe drinks including two Red Bull mixers: Red Bull Dragonberry Energiser and Red Bull Peach Boost Energiser.

Sacher’s said her concern about the McDonald’s range is the blending of the energy drinks with sugary mixers, as well as McDonald’s appeal to teenagers.

“When we see that going up to 12.5 teaspoons of sugar combined with taurine, caffeine, flavours and colours, you’ve got one concoction,” Sacher warns.

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A spokesperson for McDonald’s Australia has told nine.com.au McDonald’s Red Bull Dragonberry Energiser and Red Bull Peach Boost Energiser are not recommended for children and are not available as part of Happy Meals.

“In accordance with regulatory requirements, the Energisers feature an advisory statement at all points of sale informing customers that they are not recommended for children.

“All beverages sold at McDonald’s Australia comply with applicable Australian food standards and labelling requirements, including those relating to caffeine-containing beverages.”

The McDonald’s website states that each of these Red Bull drinks contain “80 mg of caffeine in this beverage, around the same as an instant coffee”.

They also include the warning: “Contains caffeine. Not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women, or individuals sensitive to caffeine. Maximum recommended intake: 2 medium-sized servings per day (equivalent to 2 standard cans). Available at participating restaurants. Glasses used for display purposes only.

‘A ban makes them enticing’

Food scientist Dr Emma Beckett has told nine.com.au she prefers education over a ban.

“I would worry a ban makes them enticing in a way,” she told nine.com.au.

“I think an important part of this conversation is that in normal consumption levels acute toxicity isn’t the fear, but more the knock on effect on sleep, mental health, anxiety etc.

“But in high consumption there could be acute risks so important to talk to kids about the amounts.”

Sacher argues that energy drink consumption artificially stimulates young nervous systems, which can make existing issues worse.

“I think given we know the rise in ADHD-like symptoms, given the rise in anxiety, depression amongst teens, having energy drinks just exacerbates it,” Sacher says.

“Children needing energy or that 3pm pick-me-up if they are feeling foggy need hydration, proper food, and good sleep. They do not need energy drinks because that is just going to add to the load and the issues that they’re already encountering. It’s not going to solve the problem.”

Australia’s current energy drink restrictions

Australia already enforces legal regulations around energy drinks, however stops short of a ban on under-16s.

Under the regulations, Australian energy drinks must explicitly include advisory warnings, state maximum recommended daily usage limits (typically two 250mL cans per day), and remain banned from school canteens nationwide. Marketing directed at children is also prohibited.

A standard 250mL can contains around 80mg of caffeine, while larger 500mL cans reach up to 150mg.

This means energy drinks launched overseas must be reformulated with lower levels of caffeine in order to be sold in Australia.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is the independent statutory authority responsible for the development and maintenance of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) which energy drinks falls under, however the enforcement of these measures is the responsibility of food regulatory agencies in each state and territory.

A spokesperson for FSANZ has told nine.com.au: “The Code sets out the legal requirements for food produced or imported for sale in Australia and New Zealand to support a safe food supply for consumers.

“Formulated caffeinated beverages, also known generally as ‘energy drinks’, are regulated under Standard 2.6.4, which sets out their specific compositional and labelling requirements. Compositionally, these beverages must contain no less than 145 mg/L and no more than 320 mg/L of caffeine, while Schedule 28 contains details on the other substances that may be added.

“Among the labelling requirements for formulated caffeinated beverages are several mandatory advisory statements to the effect that (1) the product contains caffeine and (2) the product is not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating women or individuals sensitive to caffeine.”

Real energy boosts come from going ‘back to basics’

For those relying on quick fixes to get through the afternoon, Sacher emphasises that true energy comes down to diet and lifestyle rather than processed stimulants.

With more than 50 per cent of nutrients in the typical Australian diet originating from ultra-processed foods, constant blood sugar spikes and crashes leave the body craving continuous pick-me-ups.

Sacher recommends checking for underlying deficiencies like low iron or Vitamin D and returning to slow-release carbohydrates, protein, fruit, vegetables, and healthy fats.

"If you are eating a good quality diet, generally you’re not going to need a stimulant," Sacher says. "If you are tired, go for a cup of coffee with a splash of milk. Go for your latte or your cappuccino, which is much better than an energy drink."