Coca-Cola Energy comes to Australia, but it’s not for children and won’t be sold in or near schools

Coca-Cola Australia is releasing a new energy drink for the first time — but it’s being restricted from children in an extraordinary way and it is not to be mixed with alcohol.

Exclusive: Coca-Cola has taken the extraordinary step of launching its first energy drink at the same time as restricting access in schools.

The new product called Coca-Cola Energy is not recommended for children under the age of 18 and will not be sold in schools or available in vending machines near schools.

Bars are also being discouraged from mixing the product with alcohol.

It comes as medical experts continue to warn consumers of the health hazards linked to energy drinks.

Coca-Cola Energy features the world famous coke flavour mixed with caffeine and guarana. The 250ml cans will come in a sugar and sugar-free option from $2.70 up to $4 at convenience stores, petrol stations and supermarkets.

Coca-Cola TM Marketing Manager Josh Gonski told News Corp the new drink is being aimed at young adults age 18-39, not under 18s.

“We developed the recipe with adults in mind … we are fully committed to the safe consumption of energy drinks and that’s why we’ve got a warning on the pack . we don’t recommend it for consumption for children,” he said.

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New Coke Energy drink being released in Australia, which has sugar and sugar free options. Picture: Supplied

“We are committed to as part of the Australian Beverages Council that we are promoting this in a responsible way and with all our marketing and sampling we won’t be marketing to those under 18.”

The company also recommends to restrict consumption to two cans a day.

When asked repeatedly if Coca-Cola could police the who the drink is sold to, Mr Gonski said that it would be “up to retailers and their discretion” if they sell it to under 18s, but that is not the company’s aim.

Mr Gonski also said they would not be recommending the drink be mixed and sold with alcohol, unlike other combinations like Vodka and Red Bull that consumers can buy in licensed bars and restaurants.

“We won’t be marketing or promoting our energy drink to be mixed with alcohol at all,” he said.

New Coke Energy drink being released in Australia, which has sugar and sugar free options. Picture: Supplied

“The energy drink marketing is growing and more consumers looking for an energy hit to be able to compliment their busy lifestyle.

“We feel consumers are looking not just for great tasting product but a functional benefit.”

Coca-Cola Energy is coming to Australia after it was previously launched in Spain, Hungary, and the UK.

But the Australian Medical Association’s Federal Councillor and NSW President Dr Kean-Seng Lim told News Corp the world does not need more energy drinks.

“You cannot stop kids from trying these drinks and if they’re marketed in such a way it can make it more attractive to them,” he said.

Dr Kean-Seng Lim from the NSW Australian Medical Association does not recommend the consumption of energy drinks at all. Picture: Supplied

“These drinks are potent stimulants which can cause rises in blood pressure and the heart rate and have even been known to cause heart attacks and strokes in some susceptible people.”

Dr Lim said that when they’re mixed with alcohol, they can be fatal.

“Alcohol is a depressant and the problem with mixing it with a stimulant is that you may not be aware of all the side effects and the harm the stimulant is causing you at the time and it can be a dangerous mixture,” he said.

“There’s no reliable way of telling anyone if they may or may not be sensitive to having an energy drink, it’s difficult to judge … even if it came with a warning label.”

Coca-Cola Energy will be available in stores nationally from June 26.