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MP calls for ban on high-caffeine energy drinks | MP calls for ban on high-caffeine energy drinks |
(35 minutes later) | |
An MP has called for a ban on high-caffeine energy drinks for under-16s, following the suicide of a 25-year-old constituent. | An MP has called for a ban on high-caffeine energy drinks for under-16s, following the suicide of a 25-year-old constituent. |
Maria Caulfield raised the issue in Prime Minister's Questions. | Maria Caulfield raised the issue in Prime Minister's Questions. |
She said Justin Bartholomew's family were "convinced" his intake of more than 15 cans a day had increased his anxiety and contributed to his death. | She said Justin Bartholomew's family were "convinced" his intake of more than 15 cans a day had increased his anxiety and contributed to his death. |
Theresa May said the government had taken action over high-sugar drinks and would continue to look at the evidence. | Theresa May said the government had taken action over high-sugar drinks and would continue to look at the evidence. |
Supermarket chain Waitrose recently announced it was banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children aged under 16, following concerns over the impact of sugar and caffeine on children. | Supermarket chain Waitrose recently announced it was banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children aged under 16, following concerns over the impact of sugar and caffeine on children. |
Ms Caulfield asked whether, given the actions of Waitrose and campaigners, including Jamie Oliver, the prime minister would consider a national ban. | Ms Caulfield asked whether, given the actions of Waitrose and campaigners, including Jamie Oliver, the prime minister would consider a national ban. |
Mrs May said the MP for Lewes had raised a "tragic case" and recognised energy drinks high in sugar could be damaging to young people's health. | |
She said the government had introduced the soft drinks industry levy - a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks, which takes effect in April 2018. | She said the government had introduced the soft drinks industry levy - a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks, which takes effect in April 2018. |
But the Department of Health and Social Care would continue to look at the issue and the scientific evidence, the prime minister said. | But the Department of Health and Social Care would continue to look at the issue and the scientific evidence, the prime minister said. |
The British Soft Drinks Association has said energy drinks have been "deemed safe" by regulators but are not marketed or promoted to under-16s. | The British Soft Drinks Association has said energy drinks have been "deemed safe" by regulators but are not marketed or promoted to under-16s. |
Existing industry labelling guidelines require any soft drink with more than 150mg of caffeine per litre to carry a high-caffeine content warning and state it is not recommended for children. | Existing industry labelling guidelines require any soft drink with more than 150mg of caffeine per litre to carry a high-caffeine content warning and state it is not recommended for children. |
Last month, campaign group Action on Sugar found that typical serving sizes of energy drinks, at 500ml (nearly a pint), were larger than for other sugary drinks and were "completely inappropriate for children to consume". | Last month, campaign group Action on Sugar found that typical serving sizes of energy drinks, at 500ml (nearly a pint), were larger than for other sugary drinks and were "completely inappropriate for children to consume". |
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