– The fact that children and young people in particular drink a lot of energy drinks worries me, because you see that there are reports and figures showing that it is harmful. That’s what Cecilie Myrseth (Ap) says, who is deputy chair of the health and care committee at the Storting. The sale of energy drinks continues to increase in this country. Already in September, more than 56 million liters of energy drink had been sold. And it is especially among children and young people that sales increase the most. – It will also affect the sleep of children and young people, and everyone who is a parent and has young people in the house is concerned that they should sleep in order to be able to go to school, says Myrseth. Cecilie Myrseth (Ap) herself has young people in her house, and believes it is right to consider an age limit on energy drinks. Photo: Marius Fiskum There may be change The Ministry of Health and Care Services is now working on a report to the Storting on public health, particularly aimed at children and young people, which will be completed in the spring of 2023. There, the now increasing use of energy drinks will be discussed, and there is talk of a possible proposal for the introduction of an age limit. – You have to consider how to advertise these products, whether there should be limits on caffeine content and age limits on energy drinks. All of these are measures that I believe we must make thorough assessments of, says Myrseth. She says she is open to an age limit, but that it is important that fact-based choices are made and that many voices must be heard before the politicians come to a conclusion. – We must help ensure that children and young people make good and healthy choices themselves, but also protect them from unhealthy habits. Gets support The Conservative Party is also positive about such a proposal. – We are open to looking at the age limit, says Erlend Svardal Bø, who sits on the health and care committee for the Conservative Party. Lithuania and Latvia are two countries that already have an age limit. Grocery stores such as Spar and Kiwi also have a recommended age limit. – The fact that there is an increase among children and young people we must take seriously. I think that several people have a responsibility. The industry must ensure good labeling of the products, parents must make sure that children and young people do not ingest too much energy drink. Then we have to look at political instruments that we can implement to reduce consumption. Erlend Svardal Bøe (H) Photo: Stortinget / Stortinget Hoping for an age limit Senior adviser and nutritionist at the Consumer Council, Aysha Grönberg, also hopes for an age limit when the public health report is presented. – We want an age limit so that store employees can refuse to sell energy drinks to children under 16. We think that an age limit will send a strong signal to children and young people, but also to their parents. She believes it is important, especially since they see that the increase is clear in younger target groups. – We see the greatest increase among the younger age groups. It will then be those aged 10–12. Aysha Grönberg in the Consumer Council Photo: Ole Walther Jacobsen / The Consumer Council – Not very targeted Director of the Brewery and Beverage Association, Erlend Vagnild Fuglum, is unsure whether the age limit is correct. He says that the authorities’ own experts in the Science Committee for Food and the Environment point out that the biggest source of caffeine for young people is tea and cocoa. For children there is a chocolate drink. From this point of view, they believe that an age limit on energy drinks would be rather untargeted. Nevertheless, he believes it is important to be aware of the challenges of children and young people drinking energy drinks. – We are clear that small bodies are more strongly affected by caffeine, and therefore we are clear in all communication that children should not drink caffeinated drinks and that young people should show extra moderation. Erlend Vagnild Fuglum is director of the Brewery and Beverage Association. Photo: SIRI SUGSTAD / news Will ask FHI for help State Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Care, Ole Henrik Krat Bjørkholt, writes in an e-mail to news that they are considering asking FHI for help. They want advice so that the authorities can better follow the development in the consumption of foods with caffeine among young people aged 14 to 17. He also does not rule out a renewed age limit.
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Age limit on energy drinks – both the Labor Party and the Conservative Party want to consider it – news Trøndelag
