New warning that children under seven should not drink popular summer treat

A new urgent warning has been issued by food safety agents cautioning against the dangers of consuming slushies for kids under 10 years of age. The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a new warning advising against giving children under seven slush ice drinks containing glycerol.

This advice comes in response to increasing concerns over the potential health hazards these popular summer beverages may pose to young children. The FSA recommends that children between the ages of seven and 10 should not consume more than 350ml of slush ice drinks daily — approximately the size of a standard fizzy drink can. This guidance is based on evidence suggesting glycerol, a common additive used to achieve the distinctive texture of slushies, could lead to negative health effects if consumed in large quantities over a short time span.

The super-sweet substance is commonly used in slushies which are vivid, colourful iced drinks that are consumed in especially large quantities over the warmer summer months. They’re frequently served at cinemas, parties, and other summer gatherings.

Excessive exposure to glycerol can result in symptoms such as nausea, headaches and vomiting. In more severe instances, children may experience shock, dangerously low blood sugar levels, and even lose consciousness.

The FSA is urging parents and carers to be vigilant of these risks and to respond promptly if a child exhibits signs of illness after consuming a slushie. Chief Scientific Advisor at the FSA, Professor Robin May, has warned: “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.”

In less serious situations, sugary food or drinks should be provided, and NHS 111 should be contacted for medical advice. However, if a child appears disoriented, lethargic, or unresponsive, parents are advised to dial 999 immediately.

Parents are being urged to quiz vendors about the presence of glycerol in slush drinks and to scrutinise product labels or in-store information. If there's any doubt about the use of glycerol, it's best to err on the side of caution and not give the drink to children, particularly those under seven, according to the advisory.

The FSA has broadened its guidance to encompass ready-to-drink slush pouches and home-use slush kits, which might also contain glycerol. Shops have been instructed to halt free refills for kids under 10 and to minimise glycerol levels in the drinks to what's essential for achieving the slushy consistency.

This fresh advice comes just before the school summer break, a peak time for slush drink consumption at various UK venues, including outdoor events and soft play areas. There’s also been a horrifying surge in reports of kids collapsing after consuming slushies.

In July last year, a two-year-old girl, Arla Agnew, reportedly became “grey”, fell unconscious and was “20 minutes from death” within half an hour of consuming a slushy drink at a friend’s birthday bash, according to her grandmother Stacey Agnew. Arla was rushed to Gollaway Community Hospital where medics confirmed the toddler had gone into hypoglycemic shock, owing to the slushy.

Earlier in March this year, another mom, 36-year-old Roxy Wallis from Cambridgeshire, faced her worst nightmare after her two young sons suffered a dangerous reaction to the colourful iced drinks. Her sons were deathly pale, vomiting, and looking “lifeless” within minutes of consuming just 300ml of the drinks. That’s less than a can of Coca-Cola. The mom of two is convinced her kids suffered from glycerol toxicity (dangerously low blood sugar levels) triggered by the slushies.

In the same month, Kim Moore, 35, also shared the harrowing story of how her four-year-old daughter, Marnie Moore from Lancashire, had to be rushed to the hospital and received urgent treatment for glycerol toxicity after consuming the iced drink.

Kim shared: “Marnie didn't drink the full cup, probably only half. Then about 10 minutes later, she started getting really aggravated then she started falling asleep so I just thought she was over-tired. It was only five minutes later when I tried to wake her up that I realised she wasn't waking up and was actually unconscious. She'd gone really pale. If I hadn't taken her to hospital, it may have had a different outcome. So many places promote free slushies when you play there but you're promoting poison.”

The mum is now calling for a ban of the drink for kids under 12: “I don't think they should be sold to kids 12 and under. And I personally wouldn't allow my child to drink one at all. It's not a risk I'm willing to take.”

Moreover, in March, doctors reportedly blamed slushies for at least 21 separate hospitalisations in kids who required immediate medical care and attention within an hour of consuming the iced drink.

Professor May further cautioned: “That's why we're recommending that children under seven should not consume these drinks at all, and children aged 7 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.”

Glycerol, also listed on some ingredient labels as E422 or glycerine, is a naturally occurring alcohol that also functions as a sugar substitute. It's commonly added to slushies to help maintain their semi-frozen consistency.

After consumption, glycerol has the ability to draw significant amounts of water and sugar from the bloodstream before it is eventually broken down by the liver and kidneys. Experts believe that this rapid depletion of internal moisture and blood sugar may trigger severe and potentially life-threatening reactions in young children.

For young children, upon consuming several servings of the substance in a short span of time, glycerol can cause the body to go into shock and can result in glycerol intoxication which is essentially a loss of consciousness.

With the UK deep in the throes of its third heatwave of the summer, it’s more imperative than ever to exercise caution in our consumption habits, especially when it comes to vulnerable sections of the society such as young children.

It’s important for parents to heed the FSA’s warning and stay vigilant and check labels for glycerol before giving slush ice drinks to their children.