If you’re reading this right now, we ask that you send good vibes to the people of South Korea. They’re going to need all the support they can get because… the South Korean government just banned coffee from all schools nationwide (for students and teachers). We’re currently pouring a hot one out for our South Korean friends.
The Korea Times reports that the coffee ban will go into effect on September 14th. The new ban is a revision to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety’s preexisting act to manage children’s diets. Under this act, food products high in calories and/or caffeine, and snacks with low nutritional value, were already banned from school grounds.
But coffee had slipped through cracks, and was formerly classified as an “adult beverage.” It was available for teachers through school vending machines and in snack shops — until now.
“The revision aims to create healthy eating habits among children and teenagers,” a ministry official said per the Korea Times. “We will make sure coffee is banned at schools without fail. We have notified schools of the coffee ban across the nation through cooperation with the education ministry.”
Although this ban seems like a total inconvenience for those who rely on coffee to get their day started, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has instated it for a good reason.
According to the Ministry, caffeine can cause dizziness, rapid heartbeat, sleep disorders, and nervousness. They also stated that caffeine consumption can harm a child’s physical and mental health.
The U.K.’s Guardian reports that, as it stands, South Koreans drink an average of 181 cups of coffee per year, which is the highest tally in Asia. In comparison, people in the U.S. drink about 266 cups per year. (Whoops.)
The South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has also recently cracked down on providing energy drinks in schools. They have even limited the airtime of television commercials that market fast food and sugary treats during children’s programming.
Perhaps, in an effort to better our own health, we should take a page from South Korea’s book and limit our consumption of caffeine. Maybe. Well, we’ll think about it tomorrow. Bring on cup number five!
