Waitrose is set to become the first supermarket in the UK to ban the sale of caffeinated energy drinks to under-16s amid mounting health concerns around such products.

From 5 March, customers buying caffeinated energy drinks containing more than 150 mg of caffeine per litre will be asked to prove that they are over the age of 16 years.

The move builds on existing industry labelling guidelines, which require any soft drink with more than 150 mg of caffeine per litre to carry a high caffeine content warning and state it is not recommended for children.

UK youngsters are among the highest consumers of energy drinks in Europe. Health campaigners have been urging the government to restrict their sale to under-16s due to concerns about how the high levels of sugar and caffeine in these products can impact children’s health and behaviour.

Simon Moore, Waitrose Director of Technical & Corporate Social Responsibility, commented: “As a responsible retailer we want to sell these products in line with the labelling guidance.

“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 which have been raised about these drinks when consumed by under 16s.”