Chandigarh, March 20 — Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh announced that the government would seek a ban on energy drinks with high caffeine content in schools and issue an advisory for colleges across the state.
“There are some energy drinks in the market with very high caffeine concentrations, which can cause a spike in heartbeat, anxiety, gastric issues, and deteriorate cardiovascular health,” Singh said at the Eat Right Mela.
He cited World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines advising against the consumption of such drinks by individuals under 18.
To address the legal aspect, Singh said he would write to the Union government, urging a nationwide ban on these habit-forming beverages.
The minister also stressed the importance of promoting millet and organic food production for soil health and overall well-being. “People have completely forgotten about coarse grains like bajra, kangani, kodra, jowar, saanwan, and ragi,” he said, calling for increased awareness about their nutritional benefits and encouraging their cultivation.
