Manama: Saudi Arabia has banned the sale of energy drinks at all public education and health facilities.
The ban, announced by the government following its weekly session on Monday, is also imposed on all cafeterias, eateries and food outlets at government establishments and institutions, public and private gyms and fitness and health clubs in the kingdom.
The decision was taken following an interior ministry study of the “adverse effects of energy drinks,” local media said, without naming any of the brands affected.
A news report by the Saudi Press Agency did not explain the reasons for the study or the decision.
All forms of promoting and advertising for energy drinks, be they through print, audio or visual media or otherwise, are outlawed, the cabinet said.
Under the blanket ban, energy drinks companies, agents, distributors and promoters are prohibited from sponsoring any sports, social or cultural event or engaging in any process that leads to promotion, the cabinet said, basing its decision on a study by the interior ministry on the negative effects of the drinks.
No energy drinks should be distributed or given away for free to consumers, regardless of their age.
Energy drinks company owners and importers must have warning labels in both Arabic and English on the cans to caution consumers against what the interior ministry claim are harmful effects, the ban said.
