Ministers will ban the sale of Red Bull, Monster Energy and other energy drinks to children in England amid growing concern about the impact that the high-caffeine, high-sugar drinks are having on young people’s health. (The Guardian)

The Guardian’s health editor Sarah Boseley writes: “Energy drinks – loaded with caffeine and sugar – far from healthy, are implicated in overstimulation of the nervous system as well as obesity.” (The Guardian)

Pernod Ricard, the world’s second-largest distiller by revenues, has reported sales grew 6 per cent in its latest fiscal year, largely driven by an acceleration in Asia (The Financial Times £).

The FT’s Lex column suggests Pernod needs to make more acquisitions to bolster growth over the longer term, but cautions: “A history of pricey purchases means the business should take a sober view of future deals… Pernod should consider writedowns or disposals, such as the sale of its lower-return wine and champagne assets.” (The Financial Times £)

Brown-Forman, the maker of Jack Daniel’s whiskey and Finlandia vodka, has lowered its earnings guidance for the 2019 fiscal year owing to the Trump administration’s trade war. The Kentucky-based company joins other popular US brands, including Harley-Davidson, Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler, that have also cut profit forecasts because of tariffs imposed on their finished goods or the raw materials that go into them. (The Financial Times £)

The impact of soaring costs and the weather on its British business and lower operating margins overseas sent Pizza Express’ underlying earnings tumbling by 16.3 per cent to £35.1 million in the half-year to July 1. (The Times £)

Dairy products are on the table as Canada scrambles over trade talks, writes The Times (£). The Canadian government is said to be prepared to make key concessions concerning the dairy market to change a rule that effectively had prevented American farmers from exporting ultrafiltered milk.

A Bahamas-based trust which counts Ocado’s chief executive Tim Steiner as a beneficiary has sold almost £51million worth of shares in the online grocer. (The Daily Mail)

Japanese retail sales growth came in above expectations in July but signalled a weak start to the third quarter, official figures released on Thursday showed. (The Financial Times £)

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