South Korea bans sale of coffee in all local schools

Banning coffee sales in school sales vehicles and restaurants will take effect on 14 September, as the government is trying to promote healthier elections among young people.

The decision aims to create healthy food habits between children and teenagers”, said an official of the Food and Bars Ministry, quoted by The Korea Times.

We'll make sure coffee is stopped in schools without failure. We have announced schools to ban coffee across the country through co-operation with the Ministry of Education “, the official added.

The ban comes amid broader efforts to reduce foods and drinks with high calories and caffeine content among the country's youth. South Korea has the average consumption rate of caffeine drinks per capita in Asia with 181 cups of coffee a year. This figure is even lower than American consumers, who consume an average of 266 cups a year, according to Euromonitor analysis.

The South Korean government severely limited the sale of energy beverages in 2018, in addition to preventing fast - food television advertising, sugar drinks, and caffeine.

Authorities in Great Britain are also proposing a ban on selling energy drinks to minors amid concerns about the long-term impact of high caffeine and sugar content.