23-04-2025
Why Punjab has banned energy drinks in schools
Amid its ongoing crusade against drugs, Punjab has become the first state in the country to ban energy drinks in and around schools to keep the children away from caffeine addiction. A notification to this effect was issued by the government on Tuesday, banning the sale of energy drinks in school canteens and outside school premises.
The ban notification
The notification, issued by Dilraj Singh Sandhawalia, Commissioner of Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Punjab, states that it is 'just and necessary' to prohibit the consumption of caffeinated energy drinks by children. '…in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 30(2)(a) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, prohibit in the interest of public health, the sale of energy drinks to the children and also to prohibit sale of energy drinks in school canteens/tuck shops/shops or establishments within the area of 100 meters of school premises in rural areas and within the area of 50 meters of school premises in urban areas, in any case in the state of Punjab for one year with effect from April 21, 2025,' the notification reads.
What the notification says
The notification says that energy drinks are heavily marketed to children and young adults and others and manufacturers compare the effects of the drinks to the use of drugs like cocaine. These are generally non-alcoholic beverages containing caffeine, guarana, glucuronolactone, taurine, ginseng, inositol, carnitine, B-vitamins, etc., as main ingredients that act as stimulants, it adds.
In recent years, it further states, several different energy drinks have been introduced in the Indian market to provide an energy boost or as dietary supplements. These drinks contain high levels of caffeine (added at levels of up to 80 mg per serve) that stimulate the nervous system, it adds.
The notification then states that while caffeine is ostensibly added to energy drinks to increase mental performance, when used in conjunction with alcoholic or other substances of dependence, it could have an impact on health.
The scientific community has been concerned about the potential access to caffeinated beverages by children and the carry-over fortification from caffeine-fortified foods to other products, the notification points out. Therefore, it states, products which have caffeine as an ingredient are usually prohibited from being used as ingredients in other beverages commonly consumed by children. Pregnant and lactating women are vulnerable groups for whom high consumption of caffeine is not advised, it further states.
What prompted the decision
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab had recently launched a fresh tirade against drugs, especially after losing the Assembly elections in Delhi. Ever since, it has initiated 'bulldozer action' against the properties of drug peddlers. It has also been arresting drug peddlers with renewed vigour.
As part of this initiative, the government had set up a cabinet subcommittee comprising ministers Harpal Cheema, Aman Arora and Dr Balbir Singh. Singh, who is also the state health minister, said that the committee felt that the availability of these drinks left the young children hooked on caffeine and that this could see them switching over to other narcotics as they grew older.
Legality of the ban
Before notifying the ban, the government took a legal opinion on the issue. It was stated that the FDA commissioner was competent to issue such a notification as most of the food business operators who sell these drinks have themselves mentioned on their labels that the products are 'not recommended for children'.
Studies quoted
The notification has also quoted studies on the detrimental effects of caffeine. Potential adverse effects of energy drinks in relation to their ingredients include cardiovascular, neurological/psychological, gastrointestinal/ metabolic and renal effects, the notification states.
