Morocco’s Consumer Watchdog Urges Ban on Energy Drink Sales to Under-18s

Marrakech – Morocco’s consumer protection observatory is calling on authorities to ban the sale of energy drinks to minors. The warning comes amid rising consumption among adolescents and growing evidence of serious health risks tied to these beverages.

In a statement reported by SNRTnews, the Moroccan Observatory for Consumer Protection flagged the dangers that energy drinks pose to young people. Observatory president Hassan Ait Ali said these products are heavily consumed by Moroccan youth. He pointed to aggressive marketing as a key driver.

“These drinks are associated with energy, performance, extreme sports, and a ‘cool’ image that particularly appeals to young people seeking identity and self-affirmation,” Ait Ali told SNRTnews. He added that peer influence plays a major role. “Consuming these products sometimes becomes a marker of social integration or trend,” he said.

Ait Ali also noted that adolescents are naturally drawn to new experiences and strong sensations. The caffeine and sugar in these drinks deliver a rapid stimulant effect that reinforces that attraction. He warned that health warnings on labels are often ignored or dismissed as exaggerated by young consumers.

The observatory’s concerns are backed by international medical research. The American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that energy drinks are not appropriate for children and adolescents due to their high caffeine content.

The AAP recommends that those under 18 consume no more than 100 mg of caffeine per day, yet many energy drinks contain as much as 300 mg in a single serving.

A 2026 narrative review published in a peer-reviewed journal found that chronic consumption is linked to a 2.07-fold higher risk of short sleep duration and elevated odds of depressive mood among adolescents.

The observatory detailed several health consequences. On the cardiovascular front, high caffeine concentrations can trigger elevated heart rate, increased blood pressure, and serious rhythm disturbances.

Read also: Infographic: The risks of energy drinks and what they’re really doing to our bodies

The nervous system is also affected, with anxiety, irritability, and difficulty concentrating among the documented symptoms. Sleep disruption is another major concern. Delayed sleep onset and chronic insomnia can directly undermine academic performance and emotional balance.

Added sugars compound the problem. The observatory linked them to obesity risks, dental cavities, and sharp swings in energy and mood. Other stimulant compounds found in these drinks, such as taurine and guarana, can amplify these effects when consumed in excess.

Medical experts have warned that these drinks can unmask underlying heart problems like abnormal rhythms and contribute to insulin resistance and future diabetes risk.

Beyond physical health, the observatory raised behavioral concerns. Mood swings, reduced attention spans, and a tendency toward risky behavior were all cited, especially when energy drinks are mixed with alcohol or consumed during sleep deprivation.

Ait Ali also addressed a structural challenge in Morocco’s consumer protection landscape. He said most consumers hesitate to file complaints or report problems with products. “This attitude is rooted in a widespread consumer culture based more on resignation than on claiming one’s rights,” he explained. He added that this reality limits the observatory’s ability to detect violations and intervene effectively.

The observatory is now urging the government to take concrete steps. Its proposals include banning sales of energy drinks to anyone under 18, requiring clear health warnings on packaging, and launching national awareness campaigns in schools. It also called for more local studies to assess the scale of consumption and its effects on Moroccan youth.

Several countries have already moved in this direction. Kazakhstan bans sales to those under 21, while Norway and Latvia prohibit sales to those under 16. The observatory wants Morocco to join this growing international trend.

The institution stressed that protecting young people’s health is a shared responsibility. Families, schools, public authorities, and manufacturers all have a role to play in curbing what it described as a rapidly expanding phenomenon.

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