Supermarket giant Morrisons has banned children from buying high-caffeine energy drinks such as Red Bull and Monster.
Morrisons is the first UK supermarket to ban them for under-16s, amid growing concerns from health experts and teaching professionals that children are having too much caffeine.
A spokesperson for Morrisons said: “We decided to take a leadership position by running a limited trial across the UK, banning the sale of such drinks to under-16s and giving us the opportunity to listen to the feedback of customers, young and old.”
Morrisons admitted that some of its customers had difficulty proving they were over 16, and said that it would review the effectiveness of the trial in the New Year.
Energy drinks contain high levels of caffeine; often about 80mg in a 250ml can, which is equivalent to three cans of cola or a mug of instant coffee.
Morrisons stores in Glasgow, Dorset, Leeds, Cheshire, Staffordshire and Suffolk will trial the ban, and staff will ask for proof of age, according to the Guardian.
