The Senate Standing Committee on Science and Technology has approved a bill proposing restrictions on the sale of high-sugar and high-caffeine beverages in Islamabad, including a ban on their sale to people under 18.
The Islamabad Capital Territory Food Safety (Amendment) Bill, 2025, moved by Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, seeks to amend the Islamabad Capital Territory Food Safety Act, 2021.
Under the proposed amendments, drinks containing more than 32 milligrams of caffeine or 6 grams of sugar per 100 milliliters would fall into the high-caffeine or high-sugar categories. The Islamabad Food Authority would be authorized to determine maximum permissible limits, with products exceeding those limits potentially being declared unsafe.
The bill proposes prohibiting the sale and distribution of high-sugar and high-caffeine drinks at educational institutions. A first violation would carry a fine of at least Rs. 100,000, while repeat violations would attract a fine of Rs. 200,000.
Designated officers would also be required to conduct monthly inspections of retail outlets and educational institutions.
The proposed law would bar vendors from selling high-sugar and high-caffeine beverages to anyone under 18. Sellers would have to verify buyers’ ages through identity cards. A first violation would result in a Rs. 50,000 fine, increasing to Rs. 100,000 for subsequent violations.
The bill also proposes cooperation with beverage manufacturers to encourage low-sugar and sugar-free products. Manufacturers producing drinks containing less than 3 grams of sugar per 100 milliliters could be offered tax incentives.
Manufacturers of high-sugar, high-caffeine and soft drinks would also have to place health warnings covering at least 20 percent of their product labels.
Failure to comply with the labeling requirement would carry a Rs. 500,000 fine for the first violation. Repeated violations could result in cancellation of the manufacturer’s license.
The proposed amendments seek to regulate the sale and consumption of high-sugar and high-caffeine beverages in Islamabad, particularly among children and adolescents.
