Energy Drinks for kids ???

[MustangLady]

I work in a cafe where we sell RedBull and other similar energy drinks. I know it is not illegal to sell energy drinks to kids but there is a warning on the cans saying 'Not recommended for Children'. Today for the first time I was confronted with a child (about 9-10 yr old) wanting to buy one of these. I asked him if his mother was aware he was buying it and he said yes so sold it to him, but I actually felt uncomfortable selling it to a youngster. They are so high in caffeine and I'm wary that the child may become hyper active on the drink or drink it to excess for their age, not being aware of the health risks.
How would you feel if your child drank these energy drinks so high in caffeine? Do you worry? Would you have sold it to them or how would you approach it if a child tried to buy one from you? Do you think these drinks should have an age restriction? Any suggestions please or comments on this matter please ?

[NazNomad]

Morrison won't sell it to under 16's.

It's not illegal as it doesn't contain alcohol, but I think any product that contains copious amounts of sugar, regardless of the caffeine content, should be scrapped.

[society]

"Energy Drinks for kids ???"

That's a big no for me.

[annie0000]

I've told my kids that you can't have them til you are 16. I wouldn't be pleased if someone had sold them one, but would be equally displeased with them for buying it. My kids are 9 and 10 mustang, so just the age group of your customer. Did he look as if his mother would care what he had bought? Sometimes you are damned if you do and damned if you don't. You may have had an irate mother on your hands for NOT selling it to little "Jimmy"!!

[cazzz1975]

I have never found the need to artificially elevate my energy levels, thankfully neither have my kids, I think these drinks are awful

[annie0000]

me neither cazzz - I dont even drink tea or coffee. I think they are seen as a status symbol in the playground, my youngest asks for one from time to time. I am sure he wouldn't like it anyway the only fizzy drink he likes is Fanta.

[cazzz1975]

I drink tea but not to look cool or elevate my energy, okay maybe to look cool ;)

[annie0000]

Didn't know that tea was cool :o). I can't stand the smell of tea and coffee gives me tumy ache. I do however drink caffeine free coke which I am sure is really bad for you, just becasue I prefer the taste (can't be good all the time!)

[cazzz1975]

I used to love pepsi max but now I get cramps if I drink it, I cant drink coffee either (for similar reasons) its tea or water basically :/

I used to know a teenage lad who used to drink about 6 cans of red bull a day, now that cant be good!

[MustangLady]

I'm so glad I'm not alone in this. I did feel bad after selling it to him and he looked like the type of kid that his parents wouldn't have bothered if he'd bought one home anyway. And like you say Annie0000, damned if you do / damned if you don't situation. I've never had the need to drink these either (cazzz1975), I took a sip of someone else energy drink once before just to 'wet my whistle' so to speak and practically felt ill the amount of sugar content it had. Never had one since. I definitely going to refuse sale of these to under 16's from hereon.. I will put a sign up above the fridge where they are displayed. Thank you all for your comments and would like to say it's nice to hear from some responsible parents out there.

[Tim123]

I admire your principles, ML. I fear you will get no thanks, and potentially a heap of trouble, for your decision. I hope I'm wrong.

[B00]

I work at the Co op, and they used to have a 16 year old warning thingy on them when scanned at the till, now they no longer do and we can sell them to children, but like you, I personally feel uncomfortable doing so.

[radiogaga]

hello, my 4 year old was at nursary and they were celebrating robert burns (poet)
with all things scottish.
the teacher asked me if i minded if my daughter could have irn bru to drink 'As its Scotlands other national drink' Quote.
well i was speachless and said, the caffine content would make your eyes water, the teacher said 'oh its diet'?! As if that would be any better.
i said absolutley not, so she gave my daughter milk instead.
what chance have our kids got when the teachers are keen on introducing them to such unhealthy junk! rant over, thank you!

[ayabrea38]

I don't think kids should have them,most kids have enough energy buzzing round them anyway.
In a related kids and drink thought,babies with bottles of tea.WHY?????
Well done for bringing this up,but I think so many people think 'so what's a bit of caffeine its only a small can'
Tea,coffee,diet drinks,full sugar,fizzy,juicy etc where all no no's for my kids especially when they where babies-even now I try and guide and limit them.
Nice to know I am not the only one who thinks like this.

[annie0000]

radiogaga - I have seen little ones in buggies with bottles of what can only be Irn Bru - that colour is unmistakable!! I allow my two to have fizzy juice on High Days and Holidays as the saying goes and I think that is fine (They are 10 and 9 now). Banning things completely creats a desire that may make them go out of control when they get the opportunity. All things in moderation - but I agree, a 4 year old has no business being introduced to Irn Bru - Scotland has some of the finest food produce in the world and all that they can think to give the kids is rubbish.

[B00]

Yeah Annie, give 'em whiskey! ;-)

On a serious note, my somewhat chavvy work collegue was telling me her little boy's nursery school were unhappy that she sent him in there with a sippy cup of coffee....who'd have thunk it???

[annie0000]

Disgraceful B00, why is he still using a sippy cup at nursery age and surely it will go cold - he needs a flask for his coffee! Some people eh!

[B00]

LMAO!

Indeed Annie.

And she wonders why he bounces from the walls.

[mike11111]

Don't talk to me about teachers. There are teachers and there are teachers. I vividly remember back in 1993, when I had taken a party of schoolchildren to France, our hostel being invaded by a group of unruly youngsters from London, accompanied by their teachers ( all female). None of them could speak a word of French. When in the course of conversation I was asked what I was doing the next day, I replied that I was going to take the children to Rouen, where there is a memorial to Joan of Arc, who was burnt there. At that point the leader of the London party asked me, "Joan of Arc, who was she, then?" I rest my case.

[annie0000]

Lol - I wonder - is it expresso?

On the theme of making nothing forbidden, you know how when you are having a drink the little ones always want a taste? Sittling having a glass of wine when eldest wandered over for a taste - he loved it, youngest had one as well and did the whole shudder from head to foot. Thought it must have been fluke with elder son, but no, he loved wine and so would get a little sip from time to time. Then when they got to about 4 and 3 ish, they were both after a little tast of hubbys beer when we were having dinner - he poured a tiny wee bit into their cups to try. Eldest scoffed his and smacked his lips, youngest sipped it tentatively, shuddered and pushed it away.

Eldest shouted, "I'll have that" and as he went to grab the cup it tipped over onto the table........he then attempted to lick it off the table cloth!

We didn't let him have a taste anymore after that.

[annie0000]

mike I know I despair sometimes with the total rot that some teachers tell the kids. My sons P3 teacher told them that the winter months are November, December and January - now that makes February spring - really??? I think not! His P2 teacher on the other hand I would pay double the salary to, she was one of the most hardworking dedicated teachers I have ever encountered.