A bold move to protect youth from high caffeine consumption!

  • Waitrose bans sales of high caffeine drinks to minors.
  • Identification required for customers under 16 purchasing energy drinks.
  • Policy effective from March 5, 2018.
  • Aligns with existing industry labelling guidelines.
  • Waitrose is the first UK supermarket to implement this policy.

Waitrose, the well-known supermarket chain, has made a significant decision to ban the sale of highly caffeinated energy drinks to minors. Starting March 5, 2018, customers will need to show identification proving they are over 16 years old when buying drinks that contain more than 150mg of caffeine per litre. This initiative builds on current industry labelling guidelines, which mandate that any soft drink with high caffeine levels must carry a warning indicating it is not recommended for children. Notably, Waitrose is the first supermarket in the UK to adopt a sales policy that aligns with the guidance found on energy drink packaging. Simon Moore, the director of technical and corporate social responsibility at Waitrose, stated, “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.”

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate and relevant information about Waitrose’s decision to ban sales of highly caffeinated energy drinks to minors and quotes a representative from the company explaining their reasoning behind it.
Noise Level: 2
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant and concise information about Waitrose’s decision to ban sales of highly caffeinated energy drinks to minors, addressing a specific concern related to the consumption of these products by children. It also includes a quote from a representative of the company explaining their reasoning behind the decision. The article stays on topic and supports its claims with existing industry guidelines.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Waitrose
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses a policy change by Waitrose, a supermarket company, which may impact their sales and revenue.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: Minor
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the article.

Reported publicly: www.retailsector.co.uk