Deputy Health Minister Waldemar Kraska announced the initiative to lawmakers when asked about the availability of such drinks for young people, public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency reported.
Kraska said the government was seeking to drive down consumption levels, and has banned energy drinks, among certain other food products, from schools and kindergartens.
Food and drink items now have to meet specific criteria to be allowed in such institutions, he added.
He also told lawmakers in the lower house of Poland's parliament that a sugar fee introduced in the country last year covered drinks containing taurine and caffeine.
As a result of these efforts, in the first several months of this year, the consumption of sparkling drinks nationwide has dropped by over 23 percent, Kraska said.
He cited a recent survey according to which he said 67 percent of Polish 12- to 20-year-olds used energy drinks, with 16 percent consuming them often.
(pm/gs)
Source: IAR