Louisiana Senate Committee Rejects Bill to Ban Energy Drinks to Youth Younger Than 16

The Louisiana Senate Commerce Committee has reportedly rejected a bill (S.B. 128) that would have prohibited the sale of certain high caffeine beverages to youth younger than age 16.

Introduced by State Senator Robert Adley (R-Benton), the bill defined an energy drink as “any drink, except coffee, that contains at least five milligrams of caffeine per fluid ounce.” Affected drinks purportedly included Red Bull, Rockstar and Full Throttle.

According to a news source, committee members were concerned the legislation would start a trend of creating restrictions on specific products and place a regulatory burden on retailers. “If we outlaw these drinks, we’re going to be up here for 10 years outlawing Twinkies, Milky Ways, whatever,” said State Senator Danny Martiny (R-Kenner). See The Times-Picayune, April 22, 2010.