For the first time in more than 60 years, the Mormon church-owned Brigham Young University will sell caffeinated soft drinks on campus.
BYU, the largest private religious university in the U.S., announced the decision Thursday by posting a picture of a can of Coca-Cola on Twitter and just two words: “It’s happening.’’
Dean Wright, the school’s director of dining services, said the decision to allow caffeinated soda on campus was a response to student demand.
Caffeinated soft drinks will also be sold at sporting events that draw tens of thousands of fans. Sales of highly caffeinated energy drinks, however, are still banned.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which founded the school, appeared to give the go-ahead on caffeinated soda in 2012, when the church issued a statement clarifying that its health guideline “does not mention the use of caffeine.” However, the post said it does prohibit “hot drinks,” specifically coffee and tea.
At BYU, the “honor code” requires that students do not partake in “alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, and substance abuse.”
