Regulation · Regulation
England Plans an Under-16 High-Caffeine Energy Drink Ban. What About Caffeine Pouches?
From April 2027, drinks with more than 150mg of caffeine per litre are due to be banned for sale to under-16s in England. The policy is written around drinks.
On 16 July 2026 the government confirmed it will ban the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s in England, starting in April 2027.
What the ban covers
- Drinks with more than 150mg of caffeine per litre, as reported by the BBC.
- Sales in shops, vending machines and online, according to the government.
- Tea and coffee are not affected.
The ban will be introduced through secondary legislation under the Food Safety Act 1990 and enforced by local authorities. It still needs parliamentary approval.
Where caffeine pouches fit
The consultation and the announcement are framed around energy drinks. The published sources do not say that caffeine pouches, which are not drinks, are in scope. That means energy pouches do not appear to be covered by this particular ban as announced.
Pouch Haus sells energy pouches to adults only. You can read how they differ from nicotine products in our energy vs nicotine pouches guide.
Sources
- Children's health further protected with energy drinks ban, GOV.UK (16 July 2026)
- Banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children: consultation outcome, Department of Health and Social Care (16 July 2026)
- Energy drinks to be banned for under-16s in England from April, BBC News (16 July 2026)
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