LONDON – British-based supermarket chain Morrisons has become the first U.K. chain to ban the sale of energy drinks to children, The Guardian reports.

Morrisons will restrict the sale of high-caffeine drinks to customers 16 years of age and older, amid growing concern about the health impact of caffeine consumption among children.

In a pilot program that the company may roll out nationally next year, Morrisons staff will challenge younger shoppers to prove that they are over 16 before selling them energy drinks.

Morrisons is the U.K.’s fourth-largest supermarket chain with 570 stores. It is testing the ban in stores in Glasgow, Dorset, Leeds, Cheshire, Staffordshire and Suffolk.

The ban by Morrisons applies to beverages containing 150 mg of caffeine or more per liter, which includes major brands such as Red Bull (230 mg), Monster (338 mg) and Relentless (320 mg).

"We have become increasingly aware of the concerns of politicians, teachers and parents about the potential impact of high-caffeine energy drinks on young people,” said Guy Mason, head of corporate affairs at Morrisons. "We decided to take a leadership position by running a limited trial across the U.K., banning the sale of such drinks to under-16s and giving us the opportunity to listen to the feedback of customers, young and old."