Legal regulations and consumption  of energy drinks in the European Union and selected member states

Paulina Mularczyk-Tomczewska; Silvia Garcia Hernández; Attila Pandur; Mariusz Gujski; Łukasz Czyżewski; Andrzej Silczuk

doi:10.26444/aaem/214352

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REVIEW PAPER

Legal regulations and consumption of energy drinks in the European Union and selected member states

Paulina Mularczyk-Tomczewska ¹

Silvia Garcia Hernández ^2,3

Attila Pandur ⁴

Mariusz Gujski ¹

Łukasz Czyżewski ⁵

Andrzej Silczuk ⁶

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Department of Public Health, Faculty of Life Sciences, Medical University, Warsaw, Poland

Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain

Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, University of the Balearic Islands-IUNICS, Health Research Institute of Balearic Islands (IdISBa), Spain

Department of Oxyology and Emergency Care, University of Pécs, Hungary

Department of Geriatric Nursing, Faculty of Life Sciences, Medical University, Warsaw, Poland

Department od Community Psychiatry, Faculty of Life Sciences, Medical University, Warsaw, Poland

Corresponding author

Paulina Mularczyk-Tomczewska

Department of Public Health, Faculty of Life Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26444/aaem/214352

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References (40)

KEYWORDS

European Union regulations

TOPICS

ABSTRACT

Introduction and objective:
Energy drinks (EDs) are rapidly growing beverages high in caffeine, sugar, and stimulants, raising public health concerns, especially among youth. The aim of of the review is to analyze EU and selected national regulations (Poland, Spain, Hungary) and consumption trends, highlighting key challenges for public health.

Review methods:
A literature review was based on searches in PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect, complemented by national and international reports and surveys. Both existing and draft legal Acts in selected EU Member States and EU secondary legislation were analyzed.

Brief description of the state of knowledge:
At the EU level, EDs are regulated only through general food law (Reg. 178/2002) and labelling rules (Reg. 1169/2011) requiring caffeine disclosure and health warnings. Several Member States have gone further: Lithuania (2014) and Latvia (2016) banned sales to minors, Poland (2024) introduced a nationwide ban with penalties, and Hungary (2025) adopted similar measures with strict sanctions. Spain lacks a national ban, although regions such as Galicia have implemented preventive restrictions.

Summary:
Energy drinks, high in caffeine and sugar, pose increasing public health risks, particularly for youth. EU law provides only general regulations and labelling requirements, while Member States differ in adopting stricter measures, from nationwide bans (Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Hungary) to regional initiatives (Spain). Comparative analysis shows the need for coherent policies to reduce health risks linked to consumption.

REFERENCES (40)

Kraak VI, Davy BM, Rockwell MS, Kostelnik S, Hedrick VE. Policy Recommendations to Address Energy Drink Marketing and Consumption by Vulnerable Populations in the United States. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2020;120(5):767–777. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2020.01.013.

eISSN:	1898-2263
ISSN:	1232-1966