REGULATION

LITHUANIA

The Law on Food sets that energy drink is a non-alcoholic beverage containing over 150 mg/l of caffeine irrespective of its source, or containing over 150 mg/l of caffeine and one or several other substances stimulating the central nervous system (glucuronic acid lactone, inositol, guaranine, ginsenosides, ginkgo extract, taurine, etc.). It may also contain carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, food additives, fruit juices or plant extracts.

The same law prohibits selling energy drinks to those under 18 years of age. Administrative fines are imposed on both the sellers who violate the requirement and adults who buy such products for minors.

The Law on Advertising also prohibits displaying energy drinks as the products of sponsors or advertising them by other means:

• in educational institutions attended by minors;
• at premises where concerts, sports, charity and other events intended for minors are held, as well as in advertising materials for such events;
• at premises where theatre plays, movies and films intended for minors are shown, as well as in advertising materials for this type of entertainment;
• in public media intended for minors and related advertising materials;
• in promotions and competitions intended for minors and related advertising materials.

Furthermore, a warning sign that “energy drinks should not be consumed with alcohol” must always be displayed in permitted advertising of energy drinks.The restrictions are in force since November 2014.Links to the relevant legislation (in Lithuanian):

• The Law on Food
• The Law on Advertising
• Technical Regulation on Description, Production and Supply of Soft Drinks and Kvass
• Rules on the usage of warning signs in energy drink advertising