Parents have been warned that children under seven should not drink slushies because they can pose a serious health risk.
Slush ice drinks are a popular choice to keep cool in the summer, with machines found in beachside cafes and amusement arcades up and down the country.
But the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has now warned under-sevens shouldn’t drink slushies at all – and those aged between seven and 10 shouldn’t drink more than 350ml of the drink per day.
The agency warns that if a child drinks several slushies in a short space of time they can be exposed to ‘very high’ levels of glycerol.
This can cause shock, very low blood sugar levels and loss of consciousness.
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The FSA suggests parents and caregivers should ask sellers if their slushies contain glycerol, or check product labels, before allowing their children to drink it.
And the warning also applies to ready-to-drink slush drinks containing glycerol in pouches, as well as home kits containing glycerol slush concentrates.
FSA chief scientific adviser Professor Robin May said: ‘As we head into the summer holidays, we want parents to be aware of the potential risks associated with slush ice drinks containing glycerol.
‘While these drinks may seem harmless and side-effects are generally mild, they can, especially when consumed in large quantities over a short time, pose serious health risks to young children.
‘That’s why we’re recommending that children under seven should not consume these drinks at all, and children aged seven to 10 should have no more than one 350ml serving.
‘We’re working closely with industry to ensure appropriate warnings are in place wherever these drinks are sold, but in the meantime we are asking parents and carers to take extra care when buying drinks for young children, particularly during warmer months when consumption of “slushies” typically increases.’
What is glycerol intoxication?
Glycerol is a food additive also known as glycerine or E422. It is used in slushies to prevent the liquid from freezing totally solid.
Glycerol intoxication occurs when someone consumes too much glycerol in a short space of time. As its effects are related to body weight, and glycerol itself is generally of low toxicity, children are at the highest risk of intoxication.
At very high levels of exposure, glycerol intoxication can cause shock, a sudden sharp drop in blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), a build-up of acid in the blood (metabolic acidosis), or loss of consciousness.
If a child becomes unwell with headaches, nausea or vomiting soon after drinking a slushy, the caregiver should immediately give them drinks or food containing sugar and call 111 for medical advice.
If the child becomes drowsy or confused, call 999.
In the last three years, there have been nine confirmed cases of glycerol intoxication in young children which required hospital treatment in the UK. A further seven potential cases were reported in the media.
The FSA says parents should avoid slushy products if they are unsure about the ingredients.
The agency has also asked retailers to no longer offer free slushy refills to children under 10 years of age, and told manufacturers to use the minimum amount of glycerol needed to achieve the frozen effect.
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