Fines proposed for selling energy drinks to children: sanctions prepared for sellers, parents, and even teenagers themselves

Ukraine may for the first time comprehensively regulate the production, sale, and consumption of energy drinks. Members of parliament propose introducing age restrictions on their purchase, establishing new requirements for the composition and labeling of products, banning the sale of energy drinks in certain places, and providing fines for violations of the new rules. Some initiatives even foresee liability for minors consuming energy drinks and for involving children in their consumption.

The relevant changes are contained in draft law No. 13024 "On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine 'On Basic Principles and Requirements for the Safety and Quality of Food Products' Regarding the Improvement of State Regulation of the Production and Circulation of Energy Drinks", the alternative draft law No. 13024-1, as well as accompanying draft laws No. 13025 and No. 13025-1 on establishing administrative liability for violations of the new rules.

What is proposed to be considered an energy drink

One of the key innovations is the introduction of a legislative definition of an energy drink.

It is proposed to understand it as a carbonated or non-carbonated beverage, excluding tea, coffee, and drinks based on tea or coffee extracts, which contains caffeine and/or other substances that stimulate the central nervous system.

In addition, deputies propose to distinguish a separate category — energy drinks with a high content of stimulants. These will include products in which the caffeine content or other stimulating substance exceeds 150 mg per liter.

The list of such substances and the maximum allowable levels of their concentration are to be determined by the Ministry of Health.

Sale to minors to be prohibited

The most notable innovation is the ban on the sale of energy drinks with a high content of stimulants to persons under 18 years of age.

It is also proposed to prohibit the sale of such products by persons who themselves have not reached adulthood.

In case of doubts about the buyer's age, the seller will be obliged to request a document confirming that the buyer is at least 18 years old.

To confirm age, a Ukrainian citizen's passport, foreign passport, driver's license, other documents, or their electronic analogs via the "Diia" app can be used.

If the buyer refuses to present a document, the seller will be obliged to refuse the sale.

Where the sale of energy drinks may be prohibited

The draft laws provide restrictions on places where energy drinks with a high content of stimulants can be sold.

In particular, the sale is proposed to be prohibited:

• in premises and on the territory of educational institutions;
• in premises and on the territory of healthcare institutions;
• in specialized children's goods stores;
• in specialized sports goods stores;
• in relevant departments of department stores;
• through vending machines.

New rules for online stores

A separate block of changes concerns remote trade.

The sale of energy drinks online is proposed to be allowed only after verifying the buyer's age using electronic documents, electronic identification means, or special identity verification technologies.

In addition, the person delivering the goods will also have to check the buyer's age upon handing over the order.

New requirements may be set for manufacturers

The authors of the draft laws propose strengthening control over the composition of energy drinks.

During production, it is planned to prohibit the use of stimulants in concentrations exceeding the limits established by the Ministry of Health.

Thus, the Ministry of Health will effectively gain the authority to determine the maximum allowable level of caffeine and other stimulants in such products.

Special warnings may appear on packaging

For energy drinks with a high content of stimulants, separate labeling requirements are planned.

The packaging must contain a warning: "Energy drink with a high content of stimulants. Not recommended for children, pregnant women, and women during lactation."

Manufacturers will also have to indicate information about the amount of the respective stimulant.

What fines are proposed

Together with the draft laws regulating the circulation of energy drinks, deputies registered separate legislative initiatives regarding liability for violations of the new rules.

The main draft law No. 13025 proposes fines from 400 to 1000 non-taxable minimum incomes of citizens for:

• selling energy drinks to minors;
• selling in places prohibited by law;
• trade through vending machines;
• sale of energy drinks by persons under 18 years old.

Since one non-taxable minimum income for administrative fines is 17 UAH, the amount of the sanction may range from 6,800 to 17,000 UAH.

At the same time, the alternative draft law No. 13025-1 proposes a more detailed system of penalties.

For selling energy drinks to minors, a fine from 100 to 150 non-taxable minimum incomes of citizens is proposed, i.e., from 1,700 to 2,550 UAH, with confiscation of the goods.

For repeated violations within a year, the fine may increase to 150–250 non-taxable minimum incomes, or from 2,550 to 4,250 UAH, also with confiscation of the products.

In addition, for trading energy drinks online, through vending machines, from self-service shelves, or in prohibited places, a fine from 50 to 70 non-taxable minimum incomes is proposed, which amounts to 850 to 1,190 UAH.

For selling energy drinks from hands or stalls, a fine from 680 to 1,020 UAH with confiscation of the goods is provided.

Liability may also be introduced for children and parents

The alternative draft law No. 13025-1 also contains provisions not present in the main draft.

In particular, the document proposes establishing liability for the consumption of energy drinks by persons under 18 years old.

For such actions, a warning or a fine from 20 to 30 non-taxable minimum incomes of citizens — from 340 to 510 UAH — is proposed.

For involving minors in the consumption of energy drinks, a similar fine is provided.

Liability may also arise for parents or persons substituting them. If children aged 14 to 16 consume energy drinks, parents may be fined from 15 to 25 non-taxable minimum incomes of citizens — from 255 to 425 UAH — or assigned community service.

In case of repeated violations, fines may increase to 680 UAH, and the duration of community service up to 60 hours.

Much higher sanctions threaten businesses

Separately, the draft laws provide liability for the production and sale of energy drinks in violation of established composition requirements.

For legal entities, a fine of 25 minimum wages is proposed.

For individual entrepreneurs — 17 minimum wages.

Based on the minimum wage of 8,647 UAH established for 2026, the fine may amount to 216,175 UAH for legal entities and 146,999 UAH for individual entrepreneurs.

Why deputies propose these changes

The authors of the draft laws note that in recent years, there has been an increase in the consumption of energy drinks in Ukraine, especially among teenagers.

The explanatory notes indicate that energy drinks contain caffeine, taurine, guarana, plant extracts, and other stimulants that can negatively affect the human body.

According to the authors, regular consumption of such drinks can lead to sleep disturbances, cardiovascular and nervous system problems, increased anxiety, decreased concentration, and other negative health effects.

Deputies also refer to international studies and the experience of European countries where age restrictions on the sale of energy drinks are already in place.

At what stage are the draft laws

Draft law No. 13024 was registered in the Verkhovna Rada on February 17, 2025, the alternative No. 13024-1 on February 25, 2025.

On the same dates, accompanying draft laws No. 13025 and No. 13025-1 on administrative liability for violations of the new rules were registered.

As of June 2026, all these legislative initiatives are under consideration by the relevant committee of the Verkhovna Rada and have not yet been submitted for parliamentary consideration.

If adopted, these documents may for the first time introduce comprehensive regulation of the energy drinks market in Ukraine — from requirements for composition and labeling to age restrictions on sales and a system of administrative liability for violations of established rules.

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