In the Union, a debate is unfolding over a proposed sales limit for caffeinated sodas. While the CDU/CSU Bundestag faction rejects a motion from the Schleswig‑Holstein CDU district association, the Lower Saxony CDU backs an age ceiling of 16 for the sale of high‑sugar, high‑caffeine drinks.
Johannes Steiniger, the nutrition policy spokesperson for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, told “Welt am Sonntag” that an age limit would not address the issue. He cited a study by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, which found that sustained high consumption of energy drinks by the surveyed youth had no impact on heart health. “That’s why an age limit is not included in the coalition agreement for good reasons” Steiniger said.
Contrastingly, Sebastian Lechner, chairman of the Lower Saxony CDU, announced that he will lobby for an age restriction at the CDU national party conference at the end of February in Stuttgart. Lechner stressed that protecting children and adolescents must take priority. “Energy drinks contain large amounts of sugar and caffeine, which have demonstrable health risks-from sleep disturbances and nervousness to long‑term effects such as overweight and metabolic disorders. In light of this, it is right to limit the sale of heavily caffeinated, sugary energy drinks to those under 16 and send a clear preventive signal” he said.
Chairpersons of the CDU in Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania and Rhineland‑Palatinate opposed the age restriction. The discussion was sparked by a motion from the Schleswig‑Holstein CDU to present a proposal for an age limit on the CDU party conference.