Data security worry
A FLAW in computer chips that affects millions of devices around the world is being fixed, but will force a major rethink in how systems are designed, a security researcher has said.
On Wednesday, Google researchers revealed two flaws – known as Meltdown and Spectre – had been found in processor chips made by Intel, AMD and ARM which could be used to access personal data on a computer. In response, Intel said it was working with other firms to issue security updates. WAITROSE is to ban sales of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16.
The supermarket said customers buying drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre would be asked to prove they are over 16 years of age from March 5.
The move follows calls by campaigners for a complete ban on the sale of energy drinks to children following findings that their sugar and caffeine content remains high despite reformulation ahead of the soft drinks levy.
Waitrose said its decision was built on existing industry labelling guidelines, which 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.
The British Soft Drinks Association introduced a voluntary code of practice in 2010 stating that high-caffeine soft drinks should not be promoted or marketed to those under 16.
In 2013, Morrisons announced a ban on children under the age of 16 from buying high-caffeine energy drinks in some stores.
Simon Moore, Waitrose director of technical and corporate social responsibility, said: “These drinks carry advice stating that they are not recommended for children, so we’re choosing to proactively act on that guidance, particularly given the widespread concerns that have been raised about these drinks when consumed by under-16s.”
Youngsters in the UK are among the highest consumers of energy drinks in Europe, figures have shown.
Graham MacGregor, professor of cardiovascular medicine and Action on Sugar chairman, described the drinks as “completely inappropriate” for children to consume and said they should be banned for under-16s. Meanwhile, the makers of IrnBru have claimed most people will not taste the difference when the fizzy drink’s reduced sugar recipe is introduced, despite fans campaigning against the move.
Scotland’s so-called other national drink will be produced with less than 50% of its regular sugar content from later this month.
Fans are reportedly stockpiling the drink ahead of the change and a petition has been launched to save the current recipe.
Irn-Bru’s “secret recipe” was introduced by AG Barr in 1901.
The company has been grappling with a shift in consumer tastes towards low-sugar drinks and has been preparing for the implementation of a sugar tax in 2018.
The Government levy, due to be introduced in April, is aimed at tackling soaring obesity rates.
An AG Barr spokesman said: “Irn-Bru will continue to be made using the same secret Irn-Bru flavour essence, but with less sugar. The vast majority of our drinkers want to consume less sugar so that is what we’re now offering.
“We ran lots of taste tests that showed most people can’t tell the difference – nine out of 10 Irn-Bru drinkers told us we had a good or excellent taste match.”