European countries ban youth access to energy drinks; Croatian government delays action despite health risks.
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Bulgaria and Hungary are the latest European countries to ban the sale of energy drinks to children, with Biljana Borzan warning that the Croatian government is delaying decisions detrimental to child health. Bulgaria recently became the last EU country to implement such a ban, following others like Lithuania and Latvia. Borzan criticized Croatia for lacking regulation despite previous proposals being rejected by parliament, citing the government’s reliance on “further research” while health risks are evident, including a fatal case in Zagreb in 2021 involving a teenager who consumed large amounts of caffeine and taurine. Neighboring Hungary also implemented a ban in June, and Romania banned sales to minors last year; Poland has prohibited underage purchase since the start of 2024. Other countries, both inside and outside Europe, are enacting or discussing similar restrictions, with experts noting that excessive consumption negatively affects cardiovascular and nervous systems in children. Borzan highlighted that over 86% of 16-year-olds in Croatia consume energy drinks, with many mixing them with alcohol, urging action despite perceived lack of legal frameworks.
