Critics said they were disappointed not to see a recommendation for a ban.
The House of Commons Science and Technology committee found that current quantitative evidence alone was not sufficient to warrant a statutory ban.
The committee sought to understand whether the caffeine in energy drinks had a negative health and behavioural effect on young people and if the sale of energy drinks to under-16s should be banned.
However, after reviewing a range of qualitative evidence, such as the experiences of teachers, the committee welcomed voluntary action taken by schools, retailers and local communities that could reduce energy drink consumption among children. And it noted young kids also consumer caffeine from tea, coffee, Coca-Cola and chocolate.
It also acknowledged that the current voluntary ban implemented by a number of retailers amplified the message that energy drinks were associated with negative health, behavioural and dietary effects.
‘Concerns over sugar levels’
A number of big supermarkets already ban their sale to under-16s due to concerns over the levels of sugar and caffeine in them.
In August the government launched a public consultation into whether to make it illegal to sell energy drinks to children. Theresa May called for a block citing obesity, tooth decay, hyperactivity and focus concerns.
Young people in the UK are the biggest consumers of energy drinks in Europe for their age group.
Chairman of the cross-party committee, Norman Lamb, said they had heard a range of concerns which ‘varied from a lack of concentration in the classroom and hyperactivity, to the effects on physical health.’
He added it was ‘clear from the evidence we received that disadvantaged children are consuming energy drinks at a higher rate than their peers.’
But the committee found there was ‘insufficient evidence’ as to whether children’s consumption habits are significantly different for energy drinks than for other caffeinated drinks like tea and coffee.
The MPs did find drinking energy drinks correlated with young people engaging in other risky behaviours such as drinking alcohol and smoking, but said it wasn’t “possible to determine whether there is any causal link”.
The British Dental Association has expressed dismay that government advisors have concluded there is insufficient evidence to warrant a ban on sale of energy drinks to children.
