High Sugar, High Caffeine Drinks Face New Restrictions in Islamabad

The Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology has approved a bill in Islamabad, proposing restrictions on the sale and distribution of high sugar and high caffeine beverages to children and adolescents. Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri introduced the Islamabad Capital Territory Food Safety (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which aims to limit excessive sugar and caffeine intake in young individuals.

The bill amends the Islamabad Capital Territory Food Safety Act, 2021, by defining beverages with over 32 milligrams of caffeine or 6 grams of sugar per 100 milliliters as high caffeine or high sugar drinks, respectively. The Islamabad Food Authority would set maximum permissible limits, and beverages surpassing these limits could be deemed unsafe.

Educational institutions would be prohibited from selling or distributing such beverages. Violations would result in fines of at least Rs. 100,000, increasing to Rs. 200,000 for repeat offenses. Inspections would be conducted monthly by designated officers at retail outlets and schools. The bill also restricts the sale of high sugar and high caffeine beverages to individuals under 18, requiring sellers to verify ages using identity cards.

A first violation of this rule would incur a Rs. 50,000 fine, escalating to Rs. 100,000 for subsequent violations. The legislation proposes collaborating with beverage manufacturers to encourage low sugar and sugar-free alternatives, offering tax incentives to those producing beverages containing less than 3 grams of sugar per 100 milliliters.

Manufacturers of high sugar, high caffeine products, and soft drinks would be mandated to display health warnings on at least 20 percent of their product labels. A first violation would lead to a Rs. 500,000 fine, while repeated violations could result in license cancellation. The primary objective of these measures is to regulate the availability and consumption of high sugar and high caffeine beverages, fostering a safer food environment in Islamabad.