Energy fizz sales to stay unlimited

New Zealand’s leading supermarkets will not restrict the sale of energy drinks to under-16s despite a decision by four major British chains.

Last week Sainsbury’s said it will join Aldi, Asda and Waitrose in asking teenagers to prove they are 16 or older when buying energy drinks.

The move followed a slew of warnings from consumer groups about the dangers of high caffeine consumption for young people and the negative impacts it could have on health and school work.

A Ministry of Health spokesman said energy drinks and energy shots are not suitable for young people.

“Caffeine is a psychoactive stimulant drug that acts on the central nervous system, alters brain function, acts as a diuretic, and elevates blood pressure and metabolic rate,” he said.

“Acute adverse effects from caffeine that have been identified include anxiety, headaches, insomnia, irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, nausea and depression.”

Long-term effects from caffeine are not clear and young people may be more sensitive to adverse effects.

A 250ml can of Red Bull has 80mg of caffeine and a 250ml can of V has 78mg. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) says a cup of percolated coffee of the same size has between 60 and 120mg of caffeine and cup of tea has 10 to 50mg.

Countdown and Foodstuffs, which owns New World and Pak’nSave, say they don’t plan age restrictions.

Antoinette Laird of Foodstuffs said introducing restrictions on caffeinated products was challenging.

“Coffee and tea are major sources of caffeine and New Zealanders, both young and old, are likely to take a dim view of retailers questioning their flat white or English breakfast [buys].”

It was up to parents and teachers to educate children on making good food and drink choices when shopping on their own, she said.

Energy drinks carry a warning about the maximum amount a person should consume a day (250ml cans of Red Bull and V have a two per day maximum), and say the drinks are not suitable for pregnant or lactating women, and children.

A Countdown spokeswoman said the chain had no plans to restrict energy drink sales, but was watching what was happening overseas.

“We take our responsibilities as a retailer really seriously, which is why we have strict policies around selling restricted items such as alcohol and tobacco.”

Kiwi nutritionist Claire Turnbull said more research was needed before a compulsory ban could be made, but she supported the idea of restricting energy drink sales. “I think it’s a very sensible idea.” Children exposed to large doses of caffeine at a young age risked interrupting their sleep and developing an early addiction to the stimulant.

“If a child has one every single day that becomes normal and if they don’t have one they might feel tired.”

Sleep was crucial for children’s brain development and learning. “If you wake up and you’ve not been rested through the night, you might also end up having behaviour issues.”

And energy drinks were not just highly caffeinated — they were full of sugar, Turnbull said.

A 250ml can of V had 26.5g of sugar and the same size can of Red Bull had slightly more, 27g.

A representative for Frucor Suntory, which makes V, said it was up to retailers whether to limit sales.

“We don’t market energy drinks to anyone under 18.”

Red Bull has been approached for comment but had not replied by time of publishing.