Supermarket chain Countdown is confident banning the sale of energy drinks to under 16s will make a difference to teenagers' overall health.
Photo: Mauro Matacchione
From early September, young people will have their ID checked if they're buying an energy drink.
Countdown's corporate affairs manager Kiri Hannifin told Morning Report energy drinks were often large, packed with sugar and caffeine, and consumed by children on their way to school.
"Over the last eight to twelve months the issue of energy drinks and their impact on New Zealand children has been brought to our attention by stakeholders right across New Zealand. We've looked at it and we think it's the right thing to do," she said.
Ms Hannifin said stakeholders included academics, doctors, dentists, teachers and various nutrition organisations.
"We know we've got a problem with obesity, we know we've got a problem with dental health of our kids and we think making a stand on this product is a good way to put a line in the sand about demonstrating that we really care about the health of young New Zealanders."
She said the decision was one of many the supermarket chain is making, to make its products healthier.
