Spain Plans to Ban Selling Energy Drinks to Minors

Spanish Consumer Affairs Minister Pablo Bustinduy announced on the 25th that the government plans to introduce new regulations to restrict the sale of energy drinks to minors, in order to strengthen health protection for young people and curb the impact of unhealthy foods and beverages on adolescents. Bustinduy said that the Consumer Affairs Department is drafting relevant regulations to ban the sale of all energy drinks to those under 16; for products with caffeine content exceeding 32 milligrams per 100 milliliters, the sales ban will apply to those under 18.

A recent survey by the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition showed that 91% of respondents believe energy drinks should be banned for minors, with nearly 40% supporting the ban for those under 16. The same survey also indicated that 79% of Spaniards support banning unhealthy food advertising targeted at minors. Spanish children are exposed to over 4,000 unhealthy food ads annually on television alone, and when including other media channels, they encounter about 30 related ads daily on average.

Bustinduy stated that the government will propose regulations on unhealthy food advertising in the coming weeks to align Spain’s policies with recommendations from public health organizations like the World Health Organization and to coordinate with measures already adopted by other countries.

Additionally, Bustinduy cited a report from the Gasol Foundation, which focuses on children’s obesity and health in Spain, indicating that approximately 80% of children and adolescents in Spain consume unhealthy foods and drinks. This issue has become a key concern in public health. The Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition previously issued a risk assessment warning that excessive caffeine intake may lead to sleep disorders, behavioral changes, and cardiovascular health problems. (Xinhua)