Shops through the UAE will be banned from selling energy drinks to persons below 20 years old from next year and violators will be fined Dh100,000.

The ministry of economy said it had decided to raise the age of persons allowed to buy energy drinks on their own from 16 to 20 years after global medical reports showed this sort of beverage is dangerous to the human health.

“We have asked shops to stop selling energy drinks to persons below 20 years old from the beginning of 2015…shops which violate the decision will be fined Dh100,000,” consumer protection director Hashim Al Nuaimi said.

He told local reporters on Wednesday that the ministry had met beverage dealers and importers and informed them of the decision.
He added that more meetings are planned to ensure all shopping outlets would comply with the decision. “We have asked them to assign a separate section for energy drinks at their shops and put up a board saying sale of such drinks is not allowed for persons under the age of 20 years…the board must also warn pregnant woman against buying these drinks given their danger on their health.”