European countries are taking different approaches to regulating energy drinks, especially when it comes to children and teenagers. Healthy.mt has previously reported on national measures across Europe — including age limits in Norway and Lithuania and policy discussions in Sweden — as concerns grow about high caffeine consumption among young people.
Spain is now preparing new measures, according to a recent announcement by the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and the 2030 Agenda.
A barometer presented by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs shows broad public support for stronger protections for minors: eight out of ten Spaniards support restricting advertising of unhealthy foods directed at children, while 91% of respondents favour banning the sale of energy drinks to those under 16.
Minister Pablo Bustinduy announced that in the coming weeks he will present a regulatory proposal to control advertising of unhealthy foods aimed at children and adolescents, stating that “this type of advertising has a harmful effect on their dietary health.”
The Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and the 2030 Agenda has presented the Barometer on Food and Energy Drink Advertising, a study commissioned by the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) and conducted by Shopperview, examining public attitudes toward advertising of unhealthy foods and energy drinks.
Among other findings, the study shows that almost 80% of the Spanish population (79%) believe that advertising of unhealthy foods directed at minors should be banned.
The barometer also shows that 91% of respondents believe that the sale of energy drinks to children under 16 should be prohibited, and that more than half (54%) think the ban should extend to those under 18. The study therefore demonstrates broad public support for protecting children’s health from advertising practices that encourage consumption of foods and drinks with an unhealthy nutritional profile.
In his remarks, Minister Pablo Bustinduy stated that the data confirm that Spanish society is fully aware of the problem posed by minors’ exposure to advertising of unhealthy products.
He announced that in the coming weeks he will present a regulatory proposal to control this type of advertising, which he said “has a harmful effect on the health of children and adolescents.”
Bustinduy stressed the importance of protecting school-age children from such advertising and said that Spain would be taking another step toward aligning with recommendations from health bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and AESAN, which emphasize that restricting food advertising based on nutritional quality is key to tackling childhood obesity, a problem that disproportionately affects lower-income families.
According to the WHO, exposure of children to this type of food advertising increases calorie intake, promotes consumption of unhealthy and low-nutrient foods, and has a long-term negative impact on health. The WHO also warns that advertising for these products uses persuasive techniques that often go unnoticed by young audiences, including the use of influencers or sports idols, and emotional appeals linking these products to fun and entertainment.
For this reason, Minister Bustinduy stressed the need to act against the advertising pressure surrounding these foods, which are ultra-processed, high in fats, sugars or salt, and highly caloric with low nutritional value. He noted that similar measures have already been implemented in countries such as Portugal, Norway, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Sweden.
In Spain, 80% of children and adolescents consume unhealthy foods and drinks.
Pablo Bustinduy, Minister for Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and Agenda 2030
“The companies in this sector have a duty not to promote the consumption of foods and drinks that harm children’s right to health in our country,” the minister said. He defended regulatory action in this area as “a matter of public health” and necessary to “guarantee children’s rights,” even if it means, he said, “setting limits on powerful interests.”
26.02.2026.
