Nursing Council calls for nationwide ban on energy drinks for minors in Spain

The General Council of Nursing (CGE) has called for a nationwide ban on the sale and consumption of energy drinks by minors in Spain. This proposal seeks to extend existing restrictions already implemented in regions such as Galicia and the Balearic Islands to the entire country.

CGE President Florentino Pérez Raya expressed support for government initiatives to restrict these products for those under 16, though he noted that prohibition alone may not suffice to improve long-term adolescent health without accompanying massive awareness campaigns and further research.

Héctor Nafría, representing the CGE's Scientific Culture and Innovation Unit, highlighted that a single 500ml can can contain approximately 160mg of caffeine. For a 50kg adolescent, this amount slightly exceeds the daily reference levels set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Additionally, the Association of Nurses of Nutrition and Dietetics (AdENyD) has suggested that these products be renamed from ‘soft drinks’ to ‘stimulant drinks’ to better reflect their caffeine, sugar, and taurine content.