The legal age to buy energy drinks varies significantly by where you live, as there is often no universal federal law. Instead, it is a patchwork of local regulations and voluntary store policies.
: Prohibits sales to persons under 18 as of early 2024 [0.5.2].
: Energy drinks are generally not recommended for children or teens due to risks of heart palpitations, anxiety, and sleep disruption [ 0.5.3 , 0.5.6 , 0.5.7 ]. how old to buy energy drinks
: Should limit intake to less than 100 mg per day [0.5.1].
: There is no federal minimum age required to purchase energy drinks in the U.S. [ 0.5.1 , 0.5.2 ]. The legal age to buy energy drinks varies
: Should consume no caffeine at all [0.5.1, 0.5.4 , 0.5.8 ].
: While there is no nationwide law currently, a government consultation proposed a legal ban for those under 16 starting in September 2025 [0.5.2, 0.5.5 ]. Many UK retailers already voluntarily enforce a 16+ policy [0.5.5]. : Energy drinks are generally not recommended for
: Some jurisdictions have enacted their own bans. For example, Suffolk County, NY , prohibits the sale of energy drinks to anyone under 18 [0.5.1, 0.5.2].