News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Sainsbury's has bowed to pressure from the Mirror campaign to ban high-caffeine energy drink sales to under-16s.

The supermarket joins Asda, Aldi and Waitrose to introduce the age restriction for soft drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre.

And Tory MP Maria Cauldwell has pledged to support to our campaign, alongside chef Jamie Oliver , for a government crackdown after the drinks were linked to low academic performance and health problems.

She urged the PM to tighten up laws after scaffolder Justin Bartholomew drank vast quantities as his marriage failed and took his own life.

(Image: PA)

The MP for Lewes, said: “I’m pleased to support the Mirror and Jamie Oliver to restrict the sale of high energy drinks to under-16s.

“It is great that supermarkets such as Waitrose, Asda, Aldi, and now Sainsbury’s, are to stop selling the drinks to children.

“There are an increasing numbers of stories coming to light of adults, including my constituent Justin Bartholomew, who have suffered physically or mentally from high energy drinks,” she said.

(Image: Getty)

“If these drinks can have such a medical impact on adults, even a few cans a day could be doing serious damage to children.

“I hope others will follow suit and that a national restriction for sale to under-16s will come forward.”

Sainsbury’s said: “We’ve been following the Mirror’s campaign and can confirm from March 1 we’ll prevent the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s.”

A study found sugar and caffeine was still too high despite changes ahead of April’s soft drinks levy.