Asda and Aldi ban energy drink sales to under-16s

Asda and Aldi have joined supermarket Waitrose in banning the sale of high-caffeine drinks to anyone aged under 16, the first of the ‘Big Four’ retailers to do so.

The move will see an age restriction introduced on 84 products from 5 March in Asda.

From this date customers wishing to buy these products, either in store or online will need to show appropriate ID.

Andrew Murray, Asda’s chief customer officer said; “We take our responsibilities as a retailer seriously and work hard to ensure we get the balance right between offering choice and doing the right thing.

“We have listened to our customers and want to take a leading position in this area to support parents and teachers in limiting young peoples’ access to high caffeine drinks.”

Aldi also announced that customers will have to prove their age from 1 March when buying soft drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre.

Oliver King, managing director of corporate responsibility at Aldi, said: “We are introducing this age restriction in response to growing concern about the consumption of energy drinks among young people.”

Supermarket giant Waitrose announced that it will ban sales of highly caffeinated energy drinks to minors earlier in January.