[MONDAY MINUTE] Why Spain Just Banned Energy Drinks | Should U.S. Brands Be Concerned?

Did you know that Spain just dropped a massive ban on energy drinks, and it should raise concern for any U.S. brand prioritizing geographical expansion across Europe? If you’re in Spain (and under the age of 16), you can no longer purchase energy drinks. While Lithuania started the trend in 2014, Spain became the first Western European country to enact age-of-sale laws on all energy drinks. Moreover, Spain also age-restricted any energy drink containing more than 32 milligrams of caffeine per 100 milliliters to those over 18 years-old. And although that concentration of caffeine is the industry standard for most energy drinks globally, some pundits fear Spain including an age restriction could spark copycat regulatory actions across Western Europe. But what do you think: is this a win for public health or government overstepping?