Monitoring campaign launched
Erbil bans energy drinks in school cafeterias
ERBIL — The Erbil Health Department, in collaboration with the Erbil Education Department, has enacted a ban on the sale of energy drinks in school cafeterias across both public and private institutions.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to monitor and enforce the ban, ensuring that all school administrators and cafeteria operators adhere to the new regulations aimed at preventing the sale of these beverages within educational facilities.
“Health experts warn that energy drinks can negatively impact students’ brain development and increase the risk of cardiovascular issues,” stated the Erbil Health Department. “Given these concerns, we have decided to prohibit the sale of such drinks in educational settings.”
This policy aligns with a recent directive from the Ministry of Health issued on April 29, which bans 31 types of energy drinks across the Kurdistan Region, including popular brands like Red Bull, Power Horse, and Tiger Energy Drink.
Similar restrictions on energy drinks in schools have been implemented in various countries worldwide, reflecting growing concerns about their health effects on young people. For instance, countries like Norway have bans on selling these beverages to children. These policies are informed by studies indicating that caffeine and other stimulants found in energy drinks can lead to palpitations, high blood pressure, and in rare cases, severe cardiac events in young consumers.
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