Countdown introduced an age restriction on energy drinks on Monday 2 September, which means that customers need to be 16 years or older to buy these products in any Countdown store.

New Zealand has the third highest obesity rate in the OECD. Energy drinks are not recommended for children, and they have to carry a warning on the can or bottle saying this. Countdown talked with a range of health leaders and overwhelmingly, the feedback they received was that when it came to children’s health, restricting the sale of energy drinks would make an important and meaningful impact. Specifically it was the combination of high-sugar, high-caffeine, serving sizes and the fact that energy drinks are often consumed on the way to school that was highlighted for them.